I knew the little square of dark semi-sweet chocolate was right across the room, in the cabinet. I wanted it! I could taste the exquisite flavor just by thinking about it, feel the smooth chocolate melting on my tongue. I resisted for a half-hour, my thoughts turning again and again to the possibility of enjoyment that could be mine with minimal effort. In the end temptation won. That was just chocolate. What about the yearning for things, experiences, pleasures that are of greater consequence?
We're all tempted. Some Believers huff and puff about the sins and failures of others claiming, "I'd never do that. I'm far too mature in Christ to be tempted that way." I want to say, "Get over yourself and admit your humanity." They are denying the truth. The Scripture says, "You are tempted in the same way that everyone else is tempted." (1 Corinthians 10:13, CEV) The setting of our temptations will vary and so will the bait on the hook. However, we all come to forks in life's road where there are just two choices: my will or God's will. For one it may be laziness that says, "Let it go 'til tomorrow. Why sweat?" For another it may be the allure of sex: Internet porn, fantasies about a friend, or an offer for an afternoon escape. For yet another it may pride that drives them to pretend to have a deeper spirituality. For still another it may be to overspend and buy bigger and better stuff. For another it might be desire for control misusing words, guilt, or position to dominate others. Yes, we're all tempted! "But God can be trusted not to let you be tempted too much, and he will show you how to escape from your temptations." (1 Corinthians 10:13, CEV) However, victory requires our cooperation with the Spirit.
How do we resist temptation?
First of all, expect it. It should come as no surprise that the enemy exploits any chink in our armor that he can find. He desires to discredit the Lord and to destroy us. He circles, the Bible says, like a lion on the prowl, looking to have us for dinner. And, contrary to accepted wisdom, he does not always attack at our perceived weakness. We generally have our defenses built there. He takes us where we're strong - because we don't expect him to attack us at that point. Peter reminds us that when we're going through the trials of temptation we are sharing the same experience that Christ endured and he says, "do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you." (1 Peter 4:12, NIV)
Second, never negotiate! You can't outwit temptation. Self is amazingly clever in providing you with an excuse or a justification. If you hover around temptation long enough, you will find a way to take the bait! That is why the Bible says, "O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness." (1 Timothy 6:11, NKJV) "But, Jerry, doesn't the Bible tell us to 'resist the Devil?'" Yes, but resisting the devil is an entirely different exercise than standing as close to the fire of temptation as we think we can without getting burnt!
Third, understand and meet your needs as God intended! We need love, security, food, intimacy, and significance. Those needs were built into us by our Creator. He has provided a way for each of those needs to be met in a way that makes us whole, and when we do, we are much less vulnerable to temptation. Those little chocolate squares I mentioned a moment ago are not at all desirable when I have just enjoyed a good, nutritious meal. A person who enjoys intimacy with his spouse diminishes the power of temptation, too. Paul is very practical when he advises married couples to continue to be intimate with each other! "Do not deprive each other of sexual relations, unless you both agree to refrain from sexual intimacy for a limited time so you can give yourselves more completely to prayer. Afterward, you should come together again so that Satan won’t be able to tempt you." (1 Corinthians 7:5, NLT) Struggling with envy over another's joy in the Lord? Know this. A person who is diligent in ministry, using the gift that the Spirit has given to him, will be much less prone to covet the ministry of another.
Most important, look to Christ! We can endure "by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up." (Hebrews 12:2-3, NLT) When I am gripped by temptation I often feel like I am being torn in two, pulled apart emotionally and spiritually. Despite knowing what is right, I want what is wrong. The battle rages in my heart. I just "gotta have it!" whatever the 'it' is at that moment. There is no victory until and unless I find the reinforcement of the Spirit! If I humble myself and quietly I wait on my face before Him, His peace comes to the storm. Why? Because Jesus is my Priest and Intercessor before God. Remember, Believer, there is no shame in admitting to the temptation, for temptation is not sin!
Yes, Believer, while we live in this world, temptations will come at us. Some come from the world systems in which we work and live. Some come from what the Bible calls, 'the flesh,' or the sinful nature, the desires and needs of our physical body that crave satisfaction even in destructive or illicit ways. And some are diabolical, devilish schemes that come from the enemy of God and good.
Here's a word from the Word. Draw the strength of the promise from it today and meet temptation with the Truth that in Christ, you can overcome!
"Yes, Adam’s one sin brings condemnation for everyone, but Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone. Because one person disobeyed God, many became sinners. But because one other person obeyed God, many will be made righteous. God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." (Romans 5:18-21, NLT)
Friday, May 23, 2008
Thursday, May 22, 2008
Is Barack Obama the Anti-Christ?
Is Barack Obama the Anti-Christ? That subject line got your attention, didn't it, which is my intent! The short answer is simple: I don't know. What is curious to me is why nobody's asking, "Is Senator McCain the anti-Christ?" Why are some Believers so ready to demonize Senator Obama? Why are some so quick to discount his 20 years membership in a Chicago area United Church of Christ and insist that because his African daddy gave him the middle name, "Hussein," his profession to be a mainstream Christian is a lie? Is it that we are not content to debate his policies feeling the need discredit him as much as possible? Politics is a dirty business and it gets even dirtier when clever backroom operatives start email whispering campaigns that play off of our fears and biases.
So why am I writing about this in a TFTD?
It isn't about supporting either the Democratic or Republican candidate for the office of President of the United States. I am much more concerned about how you and I represent our Eternal King. Somewhere deep in my spirit I am convinced that taking the tiniest shreds of 'facts' and turning them into assertions about the truth or falsehood of a man's religious affiliation or using them as basis for his being a figure of the Apocalypse is wrong, very wrong. As a citizen and a Christian, I want to be part of America's electoral process in a thoughtful way that carefully examines all the facts; that prayerfully evaluates how the candidates' positions will safeguard the weak, the poor; how they will promote true liberty and justice for all; how he or she recognizes the imperative of obedience to an Almighty God.
Instead of whispering about shadowy allegations, we should pray that God will reveal the content of the heart and mind of every candidate. If anyone of them are hiding secrets, He can reveal them to the world! If they have no real fear of the Lord, which is the "beginning of knowledge," (Proverbs 1.5) let's ask Him to cause that to be known before the election. Each of us must remember that we are first disciples of Christ, bound to the highest standards of His Lordship, and then we are American citizens. How we exercise our rights should be determined by His demand of His disciples to live in truth, committed to honesty.
I do not want Christians to be dismissed from the public debate as cranks, fools, or easily manipulated sheep - as has been suggested in the past. If we are fools for Christ because we live authentically, openly, and above reproach; so be it. If we are thought to be fools because we have not made the effort to learn the facts and just repeat nonsensical allegations made in anonymous emails, shame on us. More to the point, shame falls on Christ Jesus, our Lord, which is more than tragic. Ignorance among us, who are privileged to have the mind of Christ, is a disgrace to the Lord of Glory.
Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on it today.
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8, NIV)
"And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Romans 13:11-14, NIV)
So why am I writing about this in a TFTD?
It isn't about supporting either the Democratic or Republican candidate for the office of President of the United States. I am much more concerned about how you and I represent our Eternal King. Somewhere deep in my spirit I am convinced that taking the tiniest shreds of 'facts' and turning them into assertions about the truth or falsehood of a man's religious affiliation or using them as basis for his being a figure of the Apocalypse is wrong, very wrong. As a citizen and a Christian, I want to be part of America's electoral process in a thoughtful way that carefully examines all the facts; that prayerfully evaluates how the candidates' positions will safeguard the weak, the poor; how they will promote true liberty and justice for all; how he or she recognizes the imperative of obedience to an Almighty God.
Instead of whispering about shadowy allegations, we should pray that God will reveal the content of the heart and mind of every candidate. If anyone of them are hiding secrets, He can reveal them to the world! If they have no real fear of the Lord, which is the "beginning of knowledge," (Proverbs 1.5) let's ask Him to cause that to be known before the election. Each of us must remember that we are first disciples of Christ, bound to the highest standards of His Lordship, and then we are American citizens. How we exercise our rights should be determined by His demand of His disciples to live in truth, committed to honesty.
I do not want Christians to be dismissed from the public debate as cranks, fools, or easily manipulated sheep - as has been suggested in the past. If we are fools for Christ because we live authentically, openly, and above reproach; so be it. If we are thought to be fools because we have not made the effort to learn the facts and just repeat nonsensical allegations made in anonymous emails, shame on us. More to the point, shame falls on Christ Jesus, our Lord, which is more than tragic. Ignorance among us, who are privileged to have the mind of Christ, is a disgrace to the Lord of Glory.
Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on it today.
"Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love one another, for he who loves his fellowman has fulfilled the law." (Romans 13:8, NIV)
"And do this, understanding the present time. The hour has come for you to wake up from your slumber, because our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light. Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in orgies and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality and debauchery, not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires of the sinful nature." (Romans 13:11-14, NIV)
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Truth and Grace
"You Christians are so judgmental!" The accusation was thrown down like a challenge. "Why can't you just accept people for who they are and let them alone?" The question was shaped in anger, not really a question at all, but an indictment. It is a common one according to David Kinnaman, author of UnChristian. His research confirms that most people outside of the church, especially those who are young, view the church's stand against things like abortion and same sex marriage as rigid and condemning.
So I ponder these questions:
Am I making a mistake in holding to what the Scripture teaches about sin?
Should I round the edges off of what I believe the Bible has to say about some things that collide with the values of the culture in which I live?
Kinnaman writes, "As we work to change the negative perceptions of outsiders, we need to avoid an equally dangerous extreme. Some Christians respond to outsider's negativity by promoting a less offensive faith. The more unpopular parts of Christian teaching are omitted or deemphasized. They hijack the image of Jesus by portraying Him as an open-minded, big-hearted, and never-offended-anyone moral teacher. That is an entirely wrong idea about Jesus. He taught remarkably tough truths about human beings and about sin.... Softening the message of the Gospel is an utterly wrong response to the objections that people raise." - UnChristian, Baker, 2007
We do no favor to those who are trapped by greed, sensuality, promiscuity, or selfishness by offering them comfort in their sinful state! Jesus says that the Truth sets us free. Just as He told the Truth and ran headlong into hatred as a result, we risk being ostracized by family and friends if we speak truthfully about choices made that run counter to the wisdom and ways of God.
There are two things that Christians do that are offensive, however, and which need to change. One is too readily pointing the finger at the sins of others without authentically dealing with our own sins! The Pharisees were quick to point out the sins that they saw in their time. And they were right about those sins. However, they used their indignation to avoid dealing with their own sins, which were less spectacular perhaps, but just as offensive to a holy God. Jesus challenged them to deal with their own hearts. "Don't just clean the outside of the cup," He said, "wash the inside, too." If we hide our own failures behind righteous rhetoric we will find ourselves also condemned by the Lord!
Another way we offend those who are outside the faith is when we are quick to indict people in their sin without offering hope for forgiveness and/or transformation. In the 1980's when the issue of abortion was at full boil in the Christian church, I saw too much hatred and fear allowed into the discussion. Anti-abortion Believers went for the sensational hurling the phrase, "baby killer" at young women who felt trapped by their pregnancy and saw only one solution. I was and I am convinced that abortion is a terrible evil, the taking of the life of an innocent and defenseless person, an act that is abhorrent in the eyes of God. However, I refused to join the attacks on women. Instead, I joined forces with several like-minded Believers to create a center where women could find answers, help, and practical care that would encourage them to obey God and choose life for their unborn child. We forbade our staff from using manipulative tactics based in condemnation or fear. Instead, we made an offer of life, based squarely on the truth.
I love this passage which reveals the heart and mission of Jesus. Take a look. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’" From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:14-17, NIV) Did you notice a phrase that repeats twice? It is this one: "Grace and Truth." Moses brought the Law, which told the Truth. With the Law came the knowledge of sin and guilt that separated people from God. Jesus did not set aside the holy requirements of the Law, but He brought Grace that gives forgiveness and creates the possibility of transformation from the inside out. Only by His grace are we restored to our Father, from Whom we receive the Spirit who empowers us to be holy.
Believer, as we represent the Lord to others, if we hold to the Scripture as our standard, we will inevitably run head-long into the permissiveness of our culture. When we do, we must not drop the standard! Instead, we must proclaim grace that is greater than all our sin.
Ponder this today, Believer, and ask the Spirit to help you to understand how to tell the truth gracefully!
"God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?" (Romans 5:20-6:2, NLT)
So I ponder these questions:
Am I making a mistake in holding to what the Scripture teaches about sin?
Should I round the edges off of what I believe the Bible has to say about some things that collide with the values of the culture in which I live?
Kinnaman writes, "As we work to change the negative perceptions of outsiders, we need to avoid an equally dangerous extreme. Some Christians respond to outsider's negativity by promoting a less offensive faith. The more unpopular parts of Christian teaching are omitted or deemphasized. They hijack the image of Jesus by portraying Him as an open-minded, big-hearted, and never-offended-anyone moral teacher. That is an entirely wrong idea about Jesus. He taught remarkably tough truths about human beings and about sin.... Softening the message of the Gospel is an utterly wrong response to the objections that people raise." - UnChristian, Baker, 2007
We do no favor to those who are trapped by greed, sensuality, promiscuity, or selfishness by offering them comfort in their sinful state! Jesus says that the Truth sets us free. Just as He told the Truth and ran headlong into hatred as a result, we risk being ostracized by family and friends if we speak truthfully about choices made that run counter to the wisdom and ways of God.
There are two things that Christians do that are offensive, however, and which need to change. One is too readily pointing the finger at the sins of others without authentically dealing with our own sins! The Pharisees were quick to point out the sins that they saw in their time. And they were right about those sins. However, they used their indignation to avoid dealing with their own sins, which were less spectacular perhaps, but just as offensive to a holy God. Jesus challenged them to deal with their own hearts. "Don't just clean the outside of the cup," He said, "wash the inside, too." If we hide our own failures behind righteous rhetoric we will find ourselves also condemned by the Lord!
Another way we offend those who are outside the faith is when we are quick to indict people in their sin without offering hope for forgiveness and/or transformation. In the 1980's when the issue of abortion was at full boil in the Christian church, I saw too much hatred and fear allowed into the discussion. Anti-abortion Believers went for the sensational hurling the phrase, "baby killer" at young women who felt trapped by their pregnancy and saw only one solution. I was and I am convinced that abortion is a terrible evil, the taking of the life of an innocent and defenseless person, an act that is abhorrent in the eyes of God. However, I refused to join the attacks on women. Instead, I joined forces with several like-minded Believers to create a center where women could find answers, help, and practical care that would encourage them to obey God and choose life for their unborn child. We forbade our staff from using manipulative tactics based in condemnation or fear. Instead, we made an offer of life, based squarely on the truth.
I love this passage which reveals the heart and mission of Jesus. Take a look. "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.’" From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." (John 1:14-17, NIV) Did you notice a phrase that repeats twice? It is this one: "Grace and Truth." Moses brought the Law, which told the Truth. With the Law came the knowledge of sin and guilt that separated people from God. Jesus did not set aside the holy requirements of the Law, but He brought Grace that gives forgiveness and creates the possibility of transformation from the inside out. Only by His grace are we restored to our Father, from Whom we receive the Spirit who empowers us to be holy.
Believer, as we represent the Lord to others, if we hold to the Scripture as our standard, we will inevitably run head-long into the permissiveness of our culture. When we do, we must not drop the standard! Instead, we must proclaim grace that is greater than all our sin.
Ponder this today, Believer, and ask the Spirit to help you to understand how to tell the truth gracefully!
"God’s law was given so that all people could see how sinful they were. But as people sinned more and more, God’s wonderful grace became more abundant. So just as sin ruled over all people and brought them to death, now God’s wonderful grace rules instead, giving us right standing with God and resulting in eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Well then, should we keep on sinning so that God can show us more and more of his wonderful grace? Of course not! Since we have died to sin, how can we continue to live in it?" (Romans 5:20-6:2, NLT)
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
Stay Connected!
As soon as I emerged from sleep, I thought about Phil, an elder in our church, who is scheduled for surgery today. I prayed for Mindy and for him. Then, more people from my circle of friends and acquaintances marched through my mind as I thought about their needs and lifted them up to the Lord. These prayers have nothing to do with pastoral duty. I love these people with whom I share life and that love is reciprocated. Last Sunday, as people made their way into church, one man saw me standing at the door greeting those who were arriving. Empathizing with my present circumstances, he pulled me into a bear hug and whispered in my ear, "We love you!" Such show of caring and affection might strike some as strange, but that should be the norm for Believers.
And, I've heard from various members of the Assembly's "Foundations Experience," a small group for newer Believers at the church, who tell me how much they look forward to that hour every Sunday morning when they come together to talk about their faith, their lives, to pray for each other. They stay in touch all week, too. One remarked to me, "It's going to be hard to break up this group at the end of the course!"
Are you attempting to go through life as a Lone Ranger?
Have you been disappointed by someone, by a church, or by a Pastor and concluded that you will live the Christian life in a way that makes it about "just Jesus and me?" If so, you are making a huge mistake, robbing yourself of joy and reducing your potential for effectiveness in the work of God. I will be the first to acknowledge that people can be difficult. It's not always easy to get along with me, either. (I heard that Amen!) Relationships can go sour. Expectations may be missed by a mile. The more deeply we are willing to love the greater the possibility of being deeply hurt! And still, I love God's people. He commands us to do so. "Above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'" (1 Peter 4:8, NKJV) The rewards of love so far outweigh the disappointments, we forget about them, forgive them, and grow in love. Well, we will do that if our love is genuine and inspired by God's love for us.
The model for the way we love is the self-sacrificial, radical love of God that was shown in His gift of salvation. When we love people in the way that God loves us, we make Him visible to the world! Indeed, nothing compels others to consider the Truth of Christ and His Kingdom like Believers who genuinely love other people! "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." (1 John 4:10-12, NIV)
Don't expect that love will 'make nice' all the time! That's as silly as thinking that love in marriage is based on diamonds and roses! There is nothing wrong with romance, but the stuff of real love has little to do with flowers and jewelry. It's about caring enough to adapt to the idiosyncrasies of our spouse, stepping up to be a part of their life, changing diapers, listening to their complaints, enduring their moods, and celebrating their successes. Loving other Believers will involve conflict, hard work, disappointment. But that's not the whole story for there will also be moments of incredible tenderness, joy, and shared mission. We are called to carry each other to the finish line of life!
Get connected in a local church body. Ask God where He wants you to be planted, then put down roots and stay! Reach out to care. "But my church is so unloving," you say. Perhaps it is. Then become a catalyst of caring, a person who sows the seeds of love in that church. Do it, for God's sake! It may take a year or two for change to begin, but you will be a partner with God in spiritual transformation. Isn't that an exciting mission? And, stay connected with people in your world who are still in need of Christ. It is so easy, so inviting, to move into a church circle where our only friends are those who share our faith but if we allow ourselves to do that, who will demonstrate the love of God to those who need Him most?
Jesus said, "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples-when they see the love you have for each other." (John 13:34-35, The Message)
And, I've heard from various members of the Assembly's "Foundations Experience," a small group for newer Believers at the church, who tell me how much they look forward to that hour every Sunday morning when they come together to talk about their faith, their lives, to pray for each other. They stay in touch all week, too. One remarked to me, "It's going to be hard to break up this group at the end of the course!"
Are you attempting to go through life as a Lone Ranger?
Have you been disappointed by someone, by a church, or by a Pastor and concluded that you will live the Christian life in a way that makes it about "just Jesus and me?" If so, you are making a huge mistake, robbing yourself of joy and reducing your potential for effectiveness in the work of God. I will be the first to acknowledge that people can be difficult. It's not always easy to get along with me, either. (I heard that Amen!) Relationships can go sour. Expectations may be missed by a mile. The more deeply we are willing to love the greater the possibility of being deeply hurt! And still, I love God's people. He commands us to do so. "Above all things have fervent love for one another, for 'love will cover a multitude of sins.'" (1 Peter 4:8, NKJV) The rewards of love so far outweigh the disappointments, we forget about them, forgive them, and grow in love. Well, we will do that if our love is genuine and inspired by God's love for us.
The model for the way we love is the self-sacrificial, radical love of God that was shown in His gift of salvation. When we love people in the way that God loves us, we make Him visible to the world! Indeed, nothing compels others to consider the Truth of Christ and His Kingdom like Believers who genuinely love other people! "This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us." (1 John 4:10-12, NIV)
Don't expect that love will 'make nice' all the time! That's as silly as thinking that love in marriage is based on diamonds and roses! There is nothing wrong with romance, but the stuff of real love has little to do with flowers and jewelry. It's about caring enough to adapt to the idiosyncrasies of our spouse, stepping up to be a part of their life, changing diapers, listening to their complaints, enduring their moods, and celebrating their successes. Loving other Believers will involve conflict, hard work, disappointment. But that's not the whole story for there will also be moments of incredible tenderness, joy, and shared mission. We are called to carry each other to the finish line of life!
Get connected in a local church body. Ask God where He wants you to be planted, then put down roots and stay! Reach out to care. "But my church is so unloving," you say. Perhaps it is. Then become a catalyst of caring, a person who sows the seeds of love in that church. Do it, for God's sake! It may take a year or two for change to begin, but you will be a partner with God in spiritual transformation. Isn't that an exciting mission? And, stay connected with people in your world who are still in need of Christ. It is so easy, so inviting, to move into a church circle where our only friends are those who share our faith but if we allow ourselves to do that, who will demonstrate the love of God to those who need Him most?
Jesus said, "Let me give you a new command: Love one another. In the same way I loved you, you love one another. This is how everyone will recognize that you are my disciples-when they see the love you have for each other." (John 13:34-35, The Message)
Monday, May 19, 2008
A Rich Father
When we established our home, Bev and I gladly made lifestyle choices that involved having less money. Until our youngest children were in high school, she chose to be a full-time Mom which meant we lived on one salary, a preacher's salary at that. We lived simply, but not poorly! To this day, our kids say that they had no idea how limited our financial resources were back then. They felt that their home was rich, and it was, in many things that mattered - time, love, care, spiritual life. They laugh now at how excited they got over something as simple as going out to eat, and then only at family restaurants like Friendly's. We could only afford that kind of thing with our entire family on special occasions like birthdays. We celebrated what we could afford, resisted debt, and lived in the blessings of God. What a difference love made! Our house might not have had all the things that some families enjoyed, but we were and are wealthy in love. The Lord abundantly resourced us with all that we needed and more.
Believer, you have a rich Father! The wealth that He gives you may not always be in a fat bank account or material possessions. He will always provide love, peace, and contentment to those who live close to His heart. The Bible teaches us that He delights in us as His children. He desires that we obey and love Him so that He can surround us with His blessings. Moses called Israel together and reminded them of their heritage. He said, "For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure. The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the Lord rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. ... If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the Lord your God will keep his covenant of unfailing love with you, as he promised with an oath to your ancestors." (Deuteronomy 7:6-9, 12, NLT)
Those of us who are called to be His people today, who are 'in Christ,' enjoy the same kind of favored status among the people of the earth! "God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son." (Ephesians 1:5-6, NLT) "But, Jerry, won't we become full of pride if we think of ourselves as select or special?" Not if we remember that the selection is because of His favor, not our desirability! God did not choose you or me because of our race, our achievements, our intelligence, or productivity. As with Israel who was chosen by His love, we are chosen by His love. Having received His grace, we do have an obligation to live obediently and responsively to Him. When we do, we are in a place to enjoy His favor. Because of this special status, I want to encourage two choices in your life, Believer.
First, choose to live contentedly in what your Father provides! My children would occasionally visit in the homes of their friends and sometimes they would come home wanting more than I could or would give them. Comparing led to temporary unhappiness. Do you ever do that to your Heavenly Father? Do you become discontent because you covet the calling, the resources, the opportunities of another? Come home to Him and trust Him for His wisdom in providing what you need, not what you want. Be faithful with the blessings you have and He will trust you with more. That's a Biblical principle. "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’" (Matthew 25:23, NIV)
Second, honor the Lord with thankfulness! Wealth begins with attitude. There are those who have much who are yet poor because they are ungrateful, selfish, and discontent. There are those who have little who live like a king because they have learned to live with an attitude of abundance, giving thanks and sharing with they have to give.
__________________
How rich I am since Jesus came my way,
Redeemed my soul and turned my night to day.
How very rich, how very rich I am!
Such peace and joy I never knew before.
And countless blessings from His boundless store.
How very rich, how very rich I am!
There's a greater glory in a sunset,
A brighter twinkle in a star,
There's much more promise in a rainbow
More music in a singing bird by far;
All things have changed my eyes once blind can see,
The whole wide world is now a symphony,
And with all this, heav'n is my destiny,
How rich I am!
How Rich I Am
John W. Peterson© 1956. Renewed 1984
John W. Peterson Music Company
CCLI License No. 810055
Believer, you have a rich Father! The wealth that He gives you may not always be in a fat bank account or material possessions. He will always provide love, peace, and contentment to those who live close to His heart. The Bible teaches us that He delights in us as His children. He desires that we obey and love Him so that He can surround us with His blessings. Moses called Israel together and reminded them of their heritage. He said, "For you are a holy people, who belong to the Lord your God. Of all the people on earth, the Lord your God has chosen you to be his own special treasure. The Lord did not set his heart on you and choose you because you were more numerous than other nations, for you were the smallest of all nations! Rather, it was simply that the Lord loves you, and he was keeping the oath he had sworn to your ancestors. That is why the Lord rescued you with such a strong hand from your slavery and from the oppressive hand of Pharaoh, king of Egypt. Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands. ... If you listen to these regulations and faithfully obey them, the Lord your God will keep his covenant of unfailing love with you, as he promised with an oath to your ancestors." (Deuteronomy 7:6-9, 12, NLT)
Those of us who are called to be His people today, who are 'in Christ,' enjoy the same kind of favored status among the people of the earth! "God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. So we praise God for the glorious grace he has poured out on us who belong to his dear Son." (Ephesians 1:5-6, NLT) "But, Jerry, won't we become full of pride if we think of ourselves as select or special?" Not if we remember that the selection is because of His favor, not our desirability! God did not choose you or me because of our race, our achievements, our intelligence, or productivity. As with Israel who was chosen by His love, we are chosen by His love. Having received His grace, we do have an obligation to live obediently and responsively to Him. When we do, we are in a place to enjoy His favor. Because of this special status, I want to encourage two choices in your life, Believer.
First, choose to live contentedly in what your Father provides! My children would occasionally visit in the homes of their friends and sometimes they would come home wanting more than I could or would give them. Comparing led to temporary unhappiness. Do you ever do that to your Heavenly Father? Do you become discontent because you covet the calling, the resources, the opportunities of another? Come home to Him and trust Him for His wisdom in providing what you need, not what you want. Be faithful with the blessings you have and He will trust you with more. That's a Biblical principle. "Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things; I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!’" (Matthew 25:23, NIV)
Second, honor the Lord with thankfulness! Wealth begins with attitude. There are those who have much who are yet poor because they are ungrateful, selfish, and discontent. There are those who have little who live like a king because they have learned to live with an attitude of abundance, giving thanks and sharing with they have to give.
__________________
How rich I am since Jesus came my way,
Redeemed my soul and turned my night to day.
How very rich, how very rich I am!
Such peace and joy I never knew before.
And countless blessings from His boundless store.
How very rich, how very rich I am!
There's a greater glory in a sunset,
A brighter twinkle in a star,
There's much more promise in a rainbow
More music in a singing bird by far;
All things have changed my eyes once blind can see,
The whole wide world is now a symphony,
And with all this, heav'n is my destiny,
How rich I am!
How Rich I Am
John W. Peterson© 1956. Renewed 1984
John W. Peterson Music Company
CCLI License No. 810055
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)