Thursday, October 23, 2008

He just keeps on going and going!

One of Aesop's Fables came to mind this morning when I was trying to muster up some enthusiasm for the day, you know; the one about the Energizer Bunny. Oops... wrong cultural icon! I mean that one about a tortoise and a hare. It's so improbable! Seems that the rabbit challenged the old turtle to a race, knowing full well that he was so superior in running abilities to his short-legged, heavy-shelled friend that the outcome was a foregone conclusion. Turtle accepted the challenge because he knew rabbit was much too over-confident! Mr. Rabbit ran quickly ahead and turned off the course to find a shade tree and catch a nap. Meanwhile, Mr. Turtle plodded along,not stopping even though he, too, was tired. When rabbit awakened and ran to the finish line, he found turtle waiting for him with a bit of advice - 'slow and steady wins the race!'

Consistency cannot be over-rated - but it often is. In our culture we love those who are attractive - physically and/or psychologically. We let ourselves be charmed by appearances. The consequence of this is that the rewards often go to those who 'look' like winners, those who wow us at first presentation. We are too often deceived. Mere ordinary mortals, like the majority of us, observe this trend and come to the conclusion that because we don't have 'the look' we cannot compete in the race, that we will never win. That's not true. Stars may get the attention, but the faithful plodders usually carry the heaviest part of the load in life. They are not overly self-confident. They know that they can compensate for what they lack in 'star power' with hard work, networking, and showing up every day, on time, ready to do wha they are asked to do. In the end, when the star has dropped out, burnt out, or moved on; the steady one is still standing!

Christian, God needs steady plodders in His Kingdom. Christianity has its share of super-stars who can tell miracle stories, though I often wonder about their veracity. We are drawn our culture's myth that 'if we know the secret' then life will be easy and always work in our favor. We think that the bright and beautiful have found the key to the 'life I've always wanted.' Even our preachers imply that what we seek will be found in the next seminar; in the best-selling book, or in whatever city where the 'revival' is breaking out! But, it is just not the truth.

The Spirit of God is with us, right here, right now. He gives strength to the faithful who seek Him. The Bible calls on us to endure: to keep on walking in His strength even when we just want to lay down and rest. Paul reminds us: "I am willing to endure anything if it will bring salvation and eternal glory in Christ Jesus to those God has chosen. This is a trustworthy saying: If we die with him, we will also live with him. If we endure hardship, we will reign with him." (2 Timothy 2:10-12, NLT) We are called to soldier on in the struggle with the World, the Flesh, and the Devil! Conflict, by definition, is exhausting. We live in a world that is not our home, not a paradise; where the Evil One is working to destroy all that is good and of God. The power structures that surround us are corrupt. They oppose the will of God which includes living a life of love, integrity, humility, faithfulness, and sacrificial service. Our own internal desires are often at odds with the call of the Spirit to holiness. We all struggle with temptation to lust, or greed, or laziness, or pride! (That list could be longer, but I don't want to discourage you anymore than I have already.)

Are you weary today? Me, too.
Got some unanswered questions? Me, too.

Keep walking! Take the steady, standing wisdom of God's Word to heart. He says "Let us hold tightly without wavering to the hope we affirm, for God can be trusted to keep his promise. Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. ... So do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you!
Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised."
(Hebrews 10:23-24, 35-36, NLT)

If you hang in there, you will be able to say, at the very end of this earthly life:
"This is the only race worth running. I've run hard right to the finish,believed all the way. All that's left now is the shouting—God'sapplause! Depend on it, he's an honest judge. He'll do right ... by everyone eager for his coming. "
(2 Timothy 4:7-8, The Message)

Ah, disciple, the celebration at the finish line is going to be some party! I want to finish well and be a part of it, don't you?

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Not the answer I want

I spent some time last night in my dreams in the realm of fairy tales. I dreamt of wishing for 'happily ever after,' of finding the right phrases that magically changed everything. But, alas, that is the stuff of kid's story books. I live in a world where problems become catalysts of solutions that are worked out, step by step; where disappointments become the doorway to discovery of God's plans - worked out in His own mysterious ways and almost never within my timetable. If you think I am discouraged, you're wrong. There is some battle fatigue in evidence. I know that especially when I start to dream of the ability to wave a magical wand and make it all go away. Even weariness, however, has its own kind of blessing. It makes me quiet down and listen to the Spirit more intently.

Here's what He said to me through the Scripture today. It was not the answer I wanted, but it was exactly the wisdom I needed. "God has given each of you a gift from his great variety of spiritual gifts. Use them well to serve one another. ... Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then everything you do will bring glory to God through Jesus Christ. All glory and power to him forever and ever! Amen. Dear friends, don’t be surprised at the fiery trials you are going through, as if something strange were happening to you. Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. So be happy when you are insulted for being a Christian, for then the glorious Spirit of God rests upon you. If you suffer, however, it must not be for murder, stealing, making trouble, or prying into other people’s affairs. But it is no shame to suffer for being a Christian. Praise God for the privilege of being called by his name!"
(1 Peter 4:10-16, NLT)

For me that short passage was a real boost.

First, God reminded me us that HE prepares me to be part of His work and gives me divine abilities to fulfill His purposes.

Second, He assured me that the stuff that is scorching me - a very ill Dad, leading a church in a world that is so casual about spiritual matters, constantly standing alongside of people in deep times of crisis, resisting temptation that can be intensely attractive, and more - is part of being human and that all of these painful things serve the purpose of burning away the fog that obscures the brightness of Christ Jesus shining through me!

Third, He promised that the pain will make me a partner with Christ, joined in His efforts, and open to the Spirit's strength.

Fourth, He challenged me to praise Him for my high calling in the middle of it all!

None of those things would happen if I found some magical method that allowed me to create a world of eternal sunshine, without any suffering, full of perpetual happiness! (Oh, the land of wonderful dreams and of Heaven that awaits!) Without stress that forces growth I would remain a child in a man's world. Visiting the classroom inhabited by 6 year-old children where my wife teaches first grade is refreshing. Those little ones are largely untroubled by the economic crisis, unconcerned about the state of America's culture, or other problems in life. They are amazingly happy, as little children ought to be. Some people mistakenly think that real disciples of Christ should continue to live as little children- laughing and unburdened. Really? Can those first graders do the work of God? Do they have the capacity to comfort the broken, help a sinner find redemption, or exercise a spiritual gift? Of course not. They are not adults, nor should they be expected to act as mature adults. They will grow up, learn to accept responsibility, and become useful as they deal with life.

I am a mature man, called to the work of building the Kingdom of God in a world full of sin that makes that task sometimes hard. In my weariness, God did not give me the answer I wanted today because I was longing for a childish fantasy! Instead, He gave me the answer I needed; a call to steady endurance and a renewed faith in His strength to keep me.

I hope you're open to His Word and listening intently for the voice of the Spirit. He will speak to you, too: not to say what you want to hear, but always to speak the Truth that brings genuine comfort.
_______________________

In a world of fear and turmoil,
In a race that seems so hard to run;
Lord, I need Thy rich infilling,
Even so, Lord Jesus, come.

Even so, Lord Jesus, come;
O come, my heart doth long for Thee;
Though I've failed and betrayed Thy trust,
O Lord Jesus, come.

When my eyes shall span the river,
When I gaze into the vast unknown;
May I say with calm assurance,
"Even now, Lord Jesus, come."

William and Gloria Gaither
© 1964 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright ManagementCCLI License No. 810055

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

The Seed Principle

Are you certified? OK, stop laughing. Some of us might wonder if we are 'certifiable' but that's not what I am asking today. In our highly specialized society, we learn a skill that allows us to generate an income. To insure a minimum competence, many occupations now require a certification or series of them. A person is trained and when he demonstrates mastery of information and/or ability to perform, he is given a certificate. Some people mistakenly understand Christianity in this way. Want to become a better human being? Start attending a
church. Attend some classes: a Discipleship course, a Marriage/Family
Life seminar, a course on 'How to Read the Bible,' .....and then, when you have completed all the classes, you join the church and when you're handed your membership certificate... bam! ... you're a good Christian!

Don't get me wrong. Training is great and the Church is commissioned to be a place of instruction. Jesus says that discipleship is a totally different experience than
'certification.' While we may certainly be trained in a range of skills related to the Christian life such as Scripture interpretation, relational skills, and prayer; the actual experience of becoming a Christian is an inner process of life transformation. This happens when the Holy Spirit causes us to become spiritually alive. Jesus illustrates it with one of His great stories.
"The Kingdom of God is like a farmer who scatters seed on the ground. Night and day, while he’s asleep or awake, the seed sprouts and grows, but he does not understand how it happens. The earth produces the crops on its own. First a leaf blade pushes through, then the heads of wheat are formed, and finally the grain ripens." (Mark 4:26-28, NLT)

The idea of 'seed' in the Scripture is two-fold. The Word speaks of seeds that are planted in the earth and seed as the originator of life as in sperm that impregnates a woman. With that latter sense in mind, we read these words from Peter's letter.
"You have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God." (1 Peter 1:23, NIV) God, through His Word and, by His Spirit, implants the seed of life in us and a transformational process starts! This is the 'seed principle.' Without this mysterious, wonderful, and faith-based impartation of divine life, we may become religious, but we will not become Christian, nor will we ever be able to fully know the life of the disciple that the New Testament describes.

There is certainly a part for you and me to play in enhancing the harvest of spiritual fruit that results when the planted seed grows in our lives. Jesus' story of the various kinds of soil helps us to understand that. "Some of God's seed," He said, "falls on hearts that are as hard as a well-trodden footpath. It never even germinates. Some falls on rocky soil where it starts to grow, but soon dies for lack of root. Some falls into a heart that is receptive but the weeds of a life full of worries and earthly concerns chokes the growth. And, some falls into good, fertile soil, well cultivated. That seed bears a great crop." (see Mark 4:13-20)
<http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%204:13-20;&version=51;>

So there are two questions that each of should ask:

a. Have I, by faith, received the seed of the Word and experienced the spiritual life that is promised to those who believe and receive?

b. Am I, by daily disciplines of the Spirit (things such as prayer, silence, obedience, service, and study) cultivating the soil of my heart and mind so that the harvest will be plentiful?

Are you merely certified as a 'nice person who tries hard to be spiritual,' OR is the seed growing in you? The answer to that question has eternal significance.
________________

O holy Wind of God now blowing,
You are the seed that God is sowing,
You are the life that starts us growing, Spirit, now live in me.

O holy Rain of God now falling,
You make the word of God enthralling,
You are that inner voice now calling,
Spirit, now live in me.

O holy Flame of God now burning,
You are the power of Christ returning,
You are the answer to our yearning,
Spirit, now live in me Amen.

Spirit, Now Live in Me
Bryan Leech © 1976 Fred Bock Music Company

Monday, October 20, 2008

"What makes Jesus angry?"

Mark's Gospel tells this story about Jesus.
"Jesus went into the synagogue again and noticed a man with a deformed hand. Since it was the Sabbath, Jesus’ enemies watched him closely. If he healed the man’s hand, they planned to accuse him of working on the Sabbath. Jesus said to the man with the deformed hand, "Come and stand in front of everyone."
Then he turned to his critics and asked, "Does the law permit good deeds on the Sabbath, or is it a day for doing evil? Is this a day to save life or to destroy it?" But they wouldn’t answer him. He looked around at them angrily and was deeply saddened by their hard hearts. Then he said to the man, "Hold out your hand." So the man held out his hand, and it was restored!
At once the Pharisees went away and met with the supporters of Herod to plot how to kill Jesus."
(Mark 3:1-6, NLT)

The Pharisees were so in love with their traditional ways of observing the Sabbath laws that they could not appreciate that it would be right to heal a man during the holy observance! Their rigidity, their lack of compassion, their failure to grasp the heart of God as they claimed to speak in His Name deeply angered Jesus Christ. "He (was) angry now, furious at their hard-nosed religion." (Mark 3:5, The Message) This is a classic case of missing the point. Sadly, it still happens - and commonly too - when well-meaning people confuse their preferences with God's commands. On some things, the Scripture is very clear. Murder is wrong, so is stealing. Lying is a sin and those who are dishonest are acting like the Devil! Jesus said that. Adultery is always to be condemned, as are greed and worshipping things or persons other than the Lord God. Love is always right; truth is universally good! Making peace is a trait of those who are true children of God.

Beware a 'hard-nosed religion' that gets in the way of the Spirit's purposes. When you are ready to criticize or condemn, check your facts and your motive. Are you really concerned about the 'sins' of the other or are you more interested in protecting your preferences or making yourself look or feel better? Are you willing to allow the Spirit to help you separate between essential Truth and choices that ought to be matters of personal conscience? The Scripture guides us to love and tolerance about such matters. "Each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in your brother’s way. . . . For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking, but of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, because anyone who serves Christ in this way is pleasing to God and approved by men. Let us therefore make every effort to do what leads to peace and to mutual edification." (Romans 14:17-19, NIV)

Can you imagine making Jesus angry? It's possible, but not in the way most of think. He loved those who were truly in the grips of their sin, those who were rejected by the respectable citizens. By His very love, He challenged them to change, invited them into the Kingdom of God. He grew furious with those who allowed their self-righteousness to hinder the work of God. That's a trap that we can easily fall into, and especially the longer we hang around religion!

____________________

Jesus on the radio, Jesus on a late night show.
Jesus in a dream, looking all serene,
Jesus on a steeple, Jesus in the Gallup poll.
Jesus has His very own brand of rock and roll!

Watched Him on the silver screen,
Bought the action figurine,
But Jesus is the only name that makes you flinch.
Oh, can anybody show me the real Jesus?

Oh, let Your love unveil the mystery of the real Jesus.

Jesus started something new,
Jesus coined a phrase or two.
Jesus split the line at the turning point of time.
Jesus sparked a controversy,
Jesus, known for His mercy, gave a man his sight.
Jesus isn't white!

Jesus loves the children, holds the lambs,
Jesus prays a lot,
Jesus has distinguishing marks on His hands.
If anybody walks behind the Good Shepherd,
If anybody holds the hands that heal lepers,
And if you recognize the eyes that see forever, please...
Jesus, Jesus;
Oh, can anybody show me Jesus?
Oh, let Your love unveil the glory, the real Jesus.
Oh, can anybody show me the real Jesus?
Oh, let Your love unveil the glory of the real Jesus, the real Jesus!

The Real Jesus
Downhere copyright 2006