In the mid-1990's I was captivated by something secondary to the Gospel of Christ. In a search for ways to help hurting people, I began to explore psychology. The information was good for what it could do, which was to help to explain why people behave in the ways that we do. I learned from authors who detailed the various complexes, phobias, and relational problems that we experience. Those discoveries are extremely valuable in my work as a Pastor , but I have come 'round to the renewed realization that there is no power for change like the power of salvation through Jesus Christ. Psychology may explain why people drink too much, or fail to form intimate relationships, or distrust authority, or live rebelliously... name your problem, and someone will offer a theory about its origins and causes! But, explanations do not always produce transformation.
Counseling, which helps a person understand the patterns of behavior in their lives, is very valuable. A good counselor can help us to reach for emotional maturity. He can aid us in discovering tools that help us to break out of self-destructive ways and addictions. Effective counselors will point the way towards some significant steps in modifying the ways we act. But, only the power of God can bring about a transformation of character and create a new heart in us! As a result of influences around me, a decade or so ago, I was distracted from the true Gospel and began presenting Jesus to people as the Great Therapist. As true as that might be, what sinners need is something more than a Therapist who understands! We need a Savior who can pull us from the muck into which we have fallen under the deception of the father of lies. We need a Light to show us the Way, to life and back home to the love of our Father.
Please do not mis-read this thought. I am not attacking the science of psychology, nor am I dismissing its value as a tool for dealing with dysfunctional human behaviors! What I want us to know is that it has its limits and that at the end of the road of counseling, there is a lesser traveled Way to the Cross, where "anyone united with the Messiah gets a fresh start, is created new. The old life is gone; a new life burgeons! Look at it!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, The Message)
The Therapeutic Jesus is a Friend that we talk to, sharing our burdens, finding love and understanding. So what's wrong with that? Nothing except that He is more than a Friend. He is the Lord, the Savior, the Mediator who bridges the wide gap between us and our Creator! He not only listens with empathy, He is able to change us and heal us by giving us the Spirit to live in us! The Word says, "He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him." (Hebrews 7:25, NKJV) Another version states the wonderful promise like this - "Jesus is the one who guarantees this better covenant with God. ... Jesus lives forever, his priesthood lasts forever. Therefore he is able, once and forever, to save those who come to God through him. He lives forever to intercede with God on their behalf. He is the kind of high priest we need because he is holy and blameless, unstained by sin. He has been set apart from sinners and has been given the highest place of honor in heaven. ... he offered himself as the sacrifice for the people’s sins." (Hebrews 7:22-27, NLT)
Believer, have you 'psychologized' Jesus? Have you made Him a kind of super "Dr. Phil" without really realizing it? Do you talk over your fears, problems, failures, and sins with Him but without the expectation that He can do more than just listen and advise? He is the Lord of Glory who came to 'save us from our sins.'
Join Paul in declaring - "Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ. .... I want to know Christ and experience the mighty power that raised him from the dead. I want to suffer with him, sharing in his death, so that one way or another I will experience the resurrection from the dead!" (Philippians 3:10-11, NLT)
Receive Him with new faith. Follow Him to the Cross, into suffering and death, and into a new life marked by the Eternal Life of the Spirit.
__________________
"Ye chosen seed of Israel's race,
Ye ransomed from the Fall,
Hail Him who saves you by His grace,
and crown Him, Lord of All.
All Hail the pow'r of Jesus' Name,
let angels prostrate fall,
bring forth the royal diadem,
and crown Him, Lord of All!"
Friday, June 08, 2007
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Imposing Order
Things left untended fall into disarray and/or to disintegrate. My lawn is a simple example. If I want it to be attractive, I must give attention to the weeds and grass on a weekly basis! Your home quickly becomes a mess unless there is constant daily attention given to keeping things picked up, put away, and cleaned up! That is especially true if you have several children. Your car will run without maintenance for a while, but if you fail to do regular oil changes and other routine repairs, it will eventually break down, leaving you stranded along a road - probably at the most inconvenient time. Each of those illustrations is easily understood, right? We know the necessity of being attentive to the details if we want to impose order on the natural chaos of life.
Now, let's turn our attention to more important issues of life! Do you have an orderly mind, a disciplined heart? Does life just happen to you or do you set an agenda and live with purpose? Yes, I know - we cannot control everything! There are unexpected events that come from nowhere to disrupt our plans. But if we have imposed order on our lives through daily discipline, we will be more prepared to deal with the surprises visited on us. The Psalmist prays, "Teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, NKJV) What's his request? For a sense of the brevity of life, that will press us on the need to do what we need to do now.
Believers truly do want to become mature persons of faith. That will not just happen. Great faith emerges from study of Scripture that lays a foundation that will support our choice to trust God. Great faith develops in the decision to obey God in the small things so that we will learn to obey Him in the crisis moment!
Believers want to pass along their faith in Christ to the next generation, but it won't just happen. Deuteronomy tells us to "Repeat (God's commands) again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders." (Deuteronomy 6:6-8, NLT) Be intentional about applying God's truth to life, all the time, everywhere, so that your children learn the Way. Some seem to think that 2 hours on Sunday morning is the 'end-all' and 'be-all' of passing the faith along, only to be terribly distressed when their teen-age son decides to toss the "hobby of Christianity" (that's how he sees an unapplied faith) on the junk heap so he can pursue a passion for sports or cars. They failed to plan for the result they desired.
Most Believers want to overcome sin in their lives, but if they are not intent on pursuing God, that goal will just be a fantasy! Jesus urges us to "deny yourself and take up your cross." (Mark 8.34) A holy life, that pleases God, grows out of daily worship and saying "No," to the desires of our sinful nature in the small, seemingly inconsequential things, which allows the Spirit to grow strong character and genuine spiritual fruit in our lives.
Christian, two extremes tend to attract us. At one extreme, we assume all the responsibility for living a life that is pleasing to God, creating crushing burdens of perfectionism for ourselves. Such persons become obsessed with the rules and religion to an extent that they become slaves to the Law, living without joy, and often in the grip of hypocrisy. At the other extreme, we become irresponsible, claiming that the Spirit will do all the work for us. Those Believers accomplish little for God because their lives are marked by chaos, by chasing one spiritual high after another. They lack sustained discipline that allows for growth and greatness.
God, through Christ Jesus, has set us free from sin. He gives us life in the Spirit. And He tells us to "Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear." (Philippians 2:12, NLT) We must cooperate with the Spirit to impose order on our minds and hearts, making the daily decisions that keeps the chaos of sin from creating so much clutter that we cannot experience the flow of the Spirit's grace and gifts.
Here's a practical word from the Word. Prayerfully read it, understanding that it is not a suggestion, but a Divine Imperative.
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.
Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing.
Then the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9, NLT)
____________________
Lord God, I desire that my life will be a beautiful garden-
filled with the fruit of the Spirit-
holy and pleasing in Your sight;
that reflects the Order of Your Holy Nature.
Help me to make the choice, today;
to follow You, to say "yes" to the Spirit.
Renew the passion for godliness in me.
Help me to choose wisely the places
where my thoughts linger,
to discipline my mind and heart to remain in the Light,
so that Your will becomes my delight.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Now, let's turn our attention to more important issues of life! Do you have an orderly mind, a disciplined heart? Does life just happen to you or do you set an agenda and live with purpose? Yes, I know - we cannot control everything! There are unexpected events that come from nowhere to disrupt our plans. But if we have imposed order on our lives through daily discipline, we will be more prepared to deal with the surprises visited on us. The Psalmist prays, "Teach us to number our days, That we may gain a heart of wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, NKJV) What's his request? For a sense of the brevity of life, that will press us on the need to do what we need to do now.
Believers truly do want to become mature persons of faith. That will not just happen. Great faith emerges from study of Scripture that lays a foundation that will support our choice to trust God. Great faith develops in the decision to obey God in the small things so that we will learn to obey Him in the crisis moment!
Believers want to pass along their faith in Christ to the next generation, but it won't just happen. Deuteronomy tells us to "Repeat (God's commands) again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders." (Deuteronomy 6:6-8, NLT) Be intentional about applying God's truth to life, all the time, everywhere, so that your children learn the Way. Some seem to think that 2 hours on Sunday morning is the 'end-all' and 'be-all' of passing the faith along, only to be terribly distressed when their teen-age son decides to toss the "hobby of Christianity" (that's how he sees an unapplied faith) on the junk heap so he can pursue a passion for sports or cars. They failed to plan for the result they desired.
Most Believers want to overcome sin in their lives, but if they are not intent on pursuing God, that goal will just be a fantasy! Jesus urges us to "deny yourself and take up your cross." (Mark 8.34) A holy life, that pleases God, grows out of daily worship and saying "No," to the desires of our sinful nature in the small, seemingly inconsequential things, which allows the Spirit to grow strong character and genuine spiritual fruit in our lives.
Christian, two extremes tend to attract us. At one extreme, we assume all the responsibility for living a life that is pleasing to God, creating crushing burdens of perfectionism for ourselves. Such persons become obsessed with the rules and religion to an extent that they become slaves to the Law, living without joy, and often in the grip of hypocrisy. At the other extreme, we become irresponsible, claiming that the Spirit will do all the work for us. Those Believers accomplish little for God because their lives are marked by chaos, by chasing one spiritual high after another. They lack sustained discipline that allows for growth and greatness.
God, through Christ Jesus, has set us free from sin. He gives us life in the Spirit. And He tells us to "Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear." (Philippians 2:12, NLT) We must cooperate with the Spirit to impose order on our minds and hearts, making the daily decisions that keeps the chaos of sin from creating so much clutter that we cannot experience the flow of the Spirit's grace and gifts.
Here's a practical word from the Word. Prayerfully read it, understanding that it is not a suggestion, but a Divine Imperative.
"And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable.
Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing.
Then the God of peace will be with you." (Philippians 4:8-9, NLT)
____________________
Lord God, I desire that my life will be a beautiful garden-
filled with the fruit of the Spirit-
holy and pleasing in Your sight;
that reflects the Order of Your Holy Nature.
Help me to make the choice, today;
to follow You, to say "yes" to the Spirit.
Renew the passion for godliness in me.
Help me to choose wisely the places
where my thoughts linger,
to discipline my mind and heart to remain in the Light,
so that Your will becomes my delight.
In Jesus' name. Amen.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
Simplistic solutions?
The Presidential political campaign is started in earnest. From all sides we have candidates claiming they have the solutions for complex issues like poverty, caring for the Creation, reducing crime, and making health care affordable for all people. What I find frustrating is the implication these challenges can be met if just one program is put into place, if just one thread is pulled the whole knot will unravel.
Want to reduce crime? Get tough on criminals and hand down longer prison sentences.
Want to reduce poverty? Create an government program to collect more taxes and re-distribute wealth to more people. Etc, etc.
I cannot think of any social problems that has a single cause, nor can do I believe that any will be be solved with simplistic solutions outlined in campaign speeches. Complex issues require thoughtful solutions. Addressing the issues of the nation will demand leader who are willing to ignore polls, men and women who tell people the hard stuff, the truth that few want to hear. And that is the tough part of democracy, for how does one get elected unless he wins votes; and how does he win votes unless he tells the voters what they want to hear?
The same impulse to 'solve' problems with simplistic solutions makes it's way into Christianity, too.
- Guilt got you down? Just say the 'sinner's prayer' and you can instantly change!
- Struggling with a chronic sickness? Find a healer and say a faithful prayer and claim your healing.
- Has spiritual apathy kept you from becoming involved in hands-on ministry? Have you confused a life full of stuff with having real and eternal life? Buy the newest program from the popular Christian author and borrow inspiration from his grand stories.
Now that's I have offended most of you in one way or another, let me hasten to add - I do believe in conversion, healing, and think that there are some great resources out there that really do help mobilize Christians. But, simply getting someone to say a prayer, even an orthodox one, does not guarantee real transformation of character unless that person subsequently becomes a disciple of Jesus: a life-long, day to day, and very costly choice! Healing is sometimes a miraculous relief of symptoms, but more often healing comes through multiple adjustments in the way we live- forgiveness, better work habits, more exercise, improved diet, and learning to live within Biblical guidelines. Books and programs can inspire, but real servants emerge when people get passionate about One Person, Jesus. That kind of passion truly 'consumes' us and makes all other interests secondary to Loving God, and showing that love by serving others in His Name without careful calculation of cost vs.benefit. No program, no set of pictures in PowerPoint, no stories that tug on emotions, can replace the conviction of the Holy Spirit which brings about a genuine and complete devotion to the Person and Work of our Lord.
If that all sounds complex, it should; because it is. Life is complex! While we might like the attractiveness of simple slogans, most of us know they are not enough to change the world. While we might like to sing songs that make it all look simple and easy, and hang on sermons that promise quick relief from the troubles of life, the real answers involve careful thought, lots of sacrificial work, and ongoing prayer which allows the Master to guide us to the Abundant Life He promises to those who love Him, not just in slogan, but in fact.
The most profound path for developing a life of wholeness, that is marked by spiritual maturity, was laid out by God and delivered to us by Moses. It is neither simple nor easy, but it is comprehensive and yet succinct. Jesus said that if we love God and love others, we will be moved and empowered by the Holy Spirit to conform our lives to these holy directives. Here they are.
"Then God gave the people all these instructions:
"I am the Lord your God, .... You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind ... I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. ...
Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. ....
Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
You must not murder.
You must not commit adultery.
You must not steal.
You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
You must not covet your neighbor’s house,...wife,...servant, ...or anything else that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:1-17, NLT)
Please do not misunderstand. You cannot save yourself by any amount of self-righteousness or hard work. The weakness of the Law is our broken, sinful nature that confounds our best intentions to keep it. But, in Christ, the power of that nature over us is replaced with the power of the Holy Spirit working within us. Christ did not erase the righteous requirements of God for holy living. He made holiness truly possible! Enjoying the full benefit of the salvation given to us through the grace of God will require ongoing application of the Truth, and daily discipline.
Here's a word from the Word for your thoughts today....
"Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." (Philippians 2:12-15, NLT)
Want to reduce crime? Get tough on criminals and hand down longer prison sentences.
Want to reduce poverty? Create an government program to collect more taxes and re-distribute wealth to more people. Etc, etc.
I cannot think of any social problems that has a single cause, nor can do I believe that any will be be solved with simplistic solutions outlined in campaign speeches. Complex issues require thoughtful solutions. Addressing the issues of the nation will demand leader who are willing to ignore polls, men and women who tell people the hard stuff, the truth that few want to hear. And that is the tough part of democracy, for how does one get elected unless he wins votes; and how does he win votes unless he tells the voters what they want to hear?
The same impulse to 'solve' problems with simplistic solutions makes it's way into Christianity, too.
- Guilt got you down? Just say the 'sinner's prayer' and you can instantly change!
- Struggling with a chronic sickness? Find a healer and say a faithful prayer and claim your healing.
- Has spiritual apathy kept you from becoming involved in hands-on ministry? Have you confused a life full of stuff with having real and eternal life? Buy the newest program from the popular Christian author and borrow inspiration from his grand stories.
Now that's I have offended most of you in one way or another, let me hasten to add - I do believe in conversion, healing, and think that there are some great resources out there that really do help mobilize Christians. But, simply getting someone to say a prayer, even an orthodox one, does not guarantee real transformation of character unless that person subsequently becomes a disciple of Jesus: a life-long, day to day, and very costly choice! Healing is sometimes a miraculous relief of symptoms, but more often healing comes through multiple adjustments in the way we live- forgiveness, better work habits, more exercise, improved diet, and learning to live within Biblical guidelines. Books and programs can inspire, but real servants emerge when people get passionate about One Person, Jesus. That kind of passion truly 'consumes' us and makes all other interests secondary to Loving God, and showing that love by serving others in His Name without careful calculation of cost vs.benefit. No program, no set of pictures in PowerPoint, no stories that tug on emotions, can replace the conviction of the Holy Spirit which brings about a genuine and complete devotion to the Person and Work of our Lord.
If that all sounds complex, it should; because it is. Life is complex! While we might like the attractiveness of simple slogans, most of us know they are not enough to change the world. While we might like to sing songs that make it all look simple and easy, and hang on sermons that promise quick relief from the troubles of life, the real answers involve careful thought, lots of sacrificial work, and ongoing prayer which allows the Master to guide us to the Abundant Life He promises to those who love Him, not just in slogan, but in fact.
The most profound path for developing a life of wholeness, that is marked by spiritual maturity, was laid out by God and delivered to us by Moses. It is neither simple nor easy, but it is comprehensive and yet succinct. Jesus said that if we love God and love others, we will be moved and empowered by the Holy Spirit to conform our lives to these holy directives. Here they are.
"Then God gave the people all these instructions:
"I am the Lord your God, .... You must not have any other god but me. You must not make for yourself an idol of any kind ... I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands.
You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. ...
Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. ....
Honor your father and mother. Then you will live a long, full life in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
You must not murder.
You must not commit adultery.
You must not steal.
You must not testify falsely against your neighbor.
You must not covet your neighbor’s house,...wife,...servant, ...or anything else that belongs to your neighbor." (Exodus 20:1-17, NLT)
Please do not misunderstand. You cannot save yourself by any amount of self-righteousness or hard work. The weakness of the Law is our broken, sinful nature that confounds our best intentions to keep it. But, in Christ, the power of that nature over us is replaced with the power of the Holy Spirit working within us. Christ did not erase the righteous requirements of God for holy living. He made holiness truly possible! Enjoying the full benefit of the salvation given to us through the grace of God will require ongoing application of the Truth, and daily discipline.
Here's a word from the Word for your thoughts today....
"Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people." (Philippians 2:12-15, NLT)
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Not so clearly defined?
There are times when I think that God should bring back the Urim and the Thummin! The what? The Pentateuch makes references to two sacred objects that were carried on the chest of the high priest of Israel which he used to determine the will of God for the people. If you doubt me, you can look it up! (Exodus 28:30) Nobody knows exactly how they were used, but they did exist. OK, I am kidding about bringing them back. I'm not expressing literal longing. It is our privilege to live in the age of the Spirit and to know the Lord's leading by the treasured wisdom found in His Word. But, there are occasional moments when I think I'd like to have a concrete way to discern God's will, so I could say, "This is what the Lord wants us to do. So let's not debate it any longer!" Sometimes, I just do not know how the Word speaks to the situation and there are moments when the voice of the Spirit is inaudible - due to my small faith or spiritual deafness, not God's failure.
A case in point is the funding of church ministries. Those of us who are charged with being fiscally responsible look at various programs and and we must make decisions that have an impact on God's work. "What is mission critical, what should we prioritize? If necessary, where should we reduce expenses? What is God's will?" These are not questions of right or wrong, but of better and best. Almost always someone has a differing sense of what is important than someone else. Of course, we pray. Over my years of experience, I have seen the Lord provide many times in ways unforeseen, so there are reasons to trust Him. But, He often makes us wait and wonder. It would be amazing (truly wonderful) to have so much funding available that the church could all do all of the things that seem good and right to do; but apparently, God thinks we are better stewards when He provides just what He knows we need, and right at the moment we need it.
Here is the wisdom of the Word for those situations when we are facing multiple options and lack clear direction. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV) There are three pre-conditions to being led by the Spirit taught to us in that passage.
First, trust God completely. Make Him the center of your life. That can be easier said than done! When challenges arise, the road ahead is obscured by darkness, or situations come that shake us to the core of our being, we are tempted to take back control of our lives. Abraham, the 'father of the faithful,' did it. God promised him an heir, but his wife was well past child-bearing years and Abraham still did not have a son. He wavered in his trust and started to make choices that were expedient, but not God-honoring.
That is why the second principle is clearly stated. "Don't try to figure everything out on your own!" Abraham concluded that since Sarah was old, he needed to follow the ancient custom of fathering an heir with her servant, Hagar. His intellect provided him an answer to his dilemma but it wasn't the plan of God. What chaos resulted from his choice to figure out his own way to fulfill God's promise! The Lord has given us amazing creative abilities. He has created us with wonderful faculties of reason. But the wisest of the wise, is limited because he can only make decisions with the information available to him. God cautions us about becoming 'wise in our own eyes,' thinking that we have all the information required. That is why we cannot exclusively trust in our intellect if we hope to live in a way that pleases Him. In a time of great challenge, the Lord spoke to the prophet Isaiah reminding him - "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT) We must humbly confess our dependence on His revelation.
Third, God's direction emerges when we consistently make the choice to keep Him first in every situation. "Seek His will in all you do." If we hold onto our way, our will, in select areas of our lives while professing to seek God's will in another, our lack of integrity will bring about confusion and an inability to live at peace in His provisions. If we are refusing to follow the Lord's lead in those areas where He has already made His will plain, we should not think we will be able to clearly discern His way for our lives. Simple obedience is the most basic evidence of deep faith!
Need guidance today? Me, too! But we don't have to return to the Law or the Urim and the Thummin. Instead, we turn to the Spirit who lives in us.
Take this word to heart today. May the Lord use His Word to inspire you.
"So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What’s next, Papa?"
God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance!
We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!" (Romans 8:12-17, The Message)
_______________________________
Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
feed me 'til I want no more,
feed me 'til I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar,
guide me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, Strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield,
Be Thou still my strength and shield. - public domain
Amen.
A case in point is the funding of church ministries. Those of us who are charged with being fiscally responsible look at various programs and and we must make decisions that have an impact on God's work. "What is mission critical, what should we prioritize? If necessary, where should we reduce expenses? What is God's will?" These are not questions of right or wrong, but of better and best. Almost always someone has a differing sense of what is important than someone else. Of course, we pray. Over my years of experience, I have seen the Lord provide many times in ways unforeseen, so there are reasons to trust Him. But, He often makes us wait and wonder. It would be amazing (truly wonderful) to have so much funding available that the church could all do all of the things that seem good and right to do; but apparently, God thinks we are better stewards when He provides just what He knows we need, and right at the moment we need it.
Here is the wisdom of the Word for those situations when we are facing multiple options and lack clear direction. "Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight." (Proverbs 3:5-6, NIV) There are three pre-conditions to being led by the Spirit taught to us in that passage.
First, trust God completely. Make Him the center of your life. That can be easier said than done! When challenges arise, the road ahead is obscured by darkness, or situations come that shake us to the core of our being, we are tempted to take back control of our lives. Abraham, the 'father of the faithful,' did it. God promised him an heir, but his wife was well past child-bearing years and Abraham still did not have a son. He wavered in his trust and started to make choices that were expedient, but not God-honoring.
That is why the second principle is clearly stated. "Don't try to figure everything out on your own!" Abraham concluded that since Sarah was old, he needed to follow the ancient custom of fathering an heir with her servant, Hagar. His intellect provided him an answer to his dilemma but it wasn't the plan of God. What chaos resulted from his choice to figure out his own way to fulfill God's promise! The Lord has given us amazing creative abilities. He has created us with wonderful faculties of reason. But the wisest of the wise, is limited because he can only make decisions with the information available to him. God cautions us about becoming 'wise in our own eyes,' thinking that we have all the information required. That is why we cannot exclusively trust in our intellect if we hope to live in a way that pleases Him. In a time of great challenge, the Lord spoke to the prophet Isaiah reminding him - "My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts," says the Lord. "And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts." (Isaiah 55:8-9, NLT) We must humbly confess our dependence on His revelation.
Third, God's direction emerges when we consistently make the choice to keep Him first in every situation. "Seek His will in all you do." If we hold onto our way, our will, in select areas of our lives while professing to seek God's will in another, our lack of integrity will bring about confusion and an inability to live at peace in His provisions. If we are refusing to follow the Lord's lead in those areas where He has already made His will plain, we should not think we will be able to clearly discern His way for our lives. Simple obedience is the most basic evidence of deep faith!
Need guidance today? Me, too! But we don't have to return to the Law or the Urim and the Thummin. Instead, we turn to the Spirit who lives in us.
Take this word to heart today. May the Lord use His Word to inspire you.
"So don’t you see that we don’t owe this old do-it-yourself life one red cent. There’s nothing in it for us, nothing at all. The best thing to do is give it a decent burial and get on with your new life. God’s Spirit beckons. There are things to do and places to go!
This resurrection life you received from God is not a timid, grave-tending life. It’s adventurously expectant, greeting God with a childlike "What’s next, Papa?"
God’s Spirit touches our spirits and confirms who we really are. We know who he is, and we know who we are: Father and children. And we know we are going to get what’s coming to us—an unbelievable inheritance!
We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with him, then we’re certainly going to go through the good times with him!" (Romans 8:12-17, The Message)
_______________________________
Guide me, O Thou Great Jehovah,
pilgrim through this barren land.
I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
hold me with Thy powerful hand.
Bread of Heaven, Bread of Heaven,
feed me 'til I want no more,
feed me 'til I want no more.
Open now the crystal fountain,
whence the healing stream doth flow.
Let the fire and cloudy pillar,
guide me all my journey through.
Strong Deliverer, Strong Deliverer,
Be Thou still my strength and shield,
Be Thou still my strength and shield. - public domain
Amen.
Monday, June 04, 2007
What's your 'vision?'
Do you ever feel like this: "Another day, slogging through the 'stuff' of life, what's the use of it all?" Or when your dreams seem more like mirages, out there, just beyond your reach; are you tempted to just quit trying and settle for what it, rather than attempting what could be? Vision can be a hard taskmaster, pushing us through the days when we just want to exist, not to achieve!
Our sense of the vanity of life becomes overwhelming if we are caught up only in "just making a living." A real vision gives 'big picture context' to the work of the day. Let me illustrate from my life. On Friday my primary task is to complete the sermon that I will deliver to the congregation on Sunday morning. I can choose to view that task in two very different lights. I can see it as 'just getting something to say because that's what is expected of me.' If I take that view, I'll feel that what I'm doing is meaningless! However when I remember the work of preparing a message for the people I serve is a God-given opportunity to nudge the flock in this church a little way along the road to eternal life, I regain 'vision' that makes the work worthy of the effort required.
A person who plants tree seedlings has to have vision! Trees do not grow quickly. That little sapling that a person plants in the back yard, won't be a shade tree to sit under for years and years! By contrast, a person who plants annual flowers need little vision. The tiny plants will grow quickly, in a matter of a couple of weeks, into flowering gardens. But, they will die in a matter of months, too!
Our God calls us to active pursuit of the good He has purposed to do through us -- patiently and persistently. James uses the work of a farmer to illustrate the way to resist the deception of the day. "Wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time." (James 5:7-8, The Message) Regain your vision. Remind yourself why you started down this road. Pray that God will set this day into the context of the larger picture of life for you, then - push ahead, steadily.
Andy Stanley writes, "The daily grind of life is hard on visions. Life is now. Bills are now. Crisis is now. Vision is later. It is easy, therefore, to lose sight of the main thing, to sacrifice the best for the good. All of us run the risk of allowing secondary issues to rob us of the joy of seeing our visions come to completion. Distractions slowly kill the vision." (Visioneering, Multnomah, 1999)
Take a few moments right now to re-focus and to set the tasks that await you into a larger context of vision.
____________________
Sometimes in the heat of day
when I close my eyes to pray,
it seems like you are far from me.
My prayers are all in vain,
In my hour of hopelessness,
in my deep despair,
the noonday devil whispers in my ear!
I know that you are with me,
But I can't feel a thing,
the noonday devil has come around again.
Father, you have called me
to live a life that's true,
that all my labors and my works would
speak my love for you,
but walking through this desert,
life is empty and mundane,
the noonday devil has come around again.
Oh Lord, make me angry!
Oh Lord, make me cry!
Oh Lord, please don't leave me here
to fall into the devil's lies!
Fernando Ortega - "Noonday Devil."
________________________
Our sense of the vanity of life becomes overwhelming if we are caught up only in "just making a living." A real vision gives 'big picture context' to the work of the day. Let me illustrate from my life. On Friday my primary task is to complete the sermon that I will deliver to the congregation on Sunday morning. I can choose to view that task in two very different lights. I can see it as 'just getting something to say because that's what is expected of me.' If I take that view, I'll feel that what I'm doing is meaningless! However when I remember the work of preparing a message for the people I serve is a God-given opportunity to nudge the flock in this church a little way along the road to eternal life, I regain 'vision' that makes the work worthy of the effort required.
A person who plants tree seedlings has to have vision! Trees do not grow quickly. That little sapling that a person plants in the back yard, won't be a shade tree to sit under for years and years! By contrast, a person who plants annual flowers need little vision. The tiny plants will grow quickly, in a matter of a couple of weeks, into flowering gardens. But, they will die in a matter of months, too!
Our God calls us to active pursuit of the good He has purposed to do through us -- patiently and persistently. James uses the work of a farmer to illustrate the way to resist the deception of the day. "Wait patiently for the Master's Arrival. You see farmers do this all the time, waiting for their valuable crops to mature, patiently letting the rain do its slow but sure work. Be patient like that. Stay steady and strong. The Master could arrive at any time." (James 5:7-8, The Message) Regain your vision. Remind yourself why you started down this road. Pray that God will set this day into the context of the larger picture of life for you, then - push ahead, steadily.
Andy Stanley writes, "The daily grind of life is hard on visions. Life is now. Bills are now. Crisis is now. Vision is later. It is easy, therefore, to lose sight of the main thing, to sacrifice the best for the good. All of us run the risk of allowing secondary issues to rob us of the joy of seeing our visions come to completion. Distractions slowly kill the vision." (Visioneering, Multnomah, 1999)
Take a few moments right now to re-focus and to set the tasks that await you into a larger context of vision.
____________________
Sometimes in the heat of day
when I close my eyes to pray,
it seems like you are far from me.
My prayers are all in vain,
In my hour of hopelessness,
in my deep despair,
the noonday devil whispers in my ear!
I know that you are with me,
But I can't feel a thing,
the noonday devil has come around again.
Father, you have called me
to live a life that's true,
that all my labors and my works would
speak my love for you,
but walking through this desert,
life is empty and mundane,
the noonday devil has come around again.
Oh Lord, make me angry!
Oh Lord, make me cry!
Oh Lord, please don't leave me here
to fall into the devil's lies!
Fernando Ortega - "Noonday Devil."
________________________
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