Saturday, May 14, 2011

Missing Out on the Best?

John Lennon’s “Imagine” doesn’t really require much imagination. It’s the way many of us live. He wrote:


Imagine there's no Heaven, it's easy if you try;
No hell below us, above us only sky.
Imagine all the people, living for today.

I will be busy today and so will you. There are weeds in the garden, problems to be solved, expectations to be met. All of this conspires to keep us from thinking about ‘why’ and ‘what’ of our existence. Then, every now and again, we are summoned to a funeral where the lifeless corpse reminds us that the music stops sooner or later for us all. We determine to do better, to give more of ourselves to God and good. Our intentions are good, but almost before the grave is closed, our cell phones are ringing and we’re back at ‘living for today.’

A consistent thread of truth in the Scripture is about the brevity of life here and our appointment with God who will look past our bank accounts and awards. His concern will be if we have faithfully fulfilled His purposes, living in faith, building his Kingdom. A rich king who knew much about accomplishment lamented the way he lived with the famous words, “Vanity of vanities. All is vanity.” Solomon did much for Israel. He even seemed to do much for God, building a spectacular place of worship in Jerusalem. But, when he reflected on the days of his life, he offered this counsel: "Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.” (Ecclesiastes 12:1, NLT) "That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad." (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14, NLT)

Moses’ Psalm includes this prayerful line: "Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom." (Psalm 90:12, NLT) I am going to breathe that prayer all day. I hope you will, too. “Ah, come on, Jerry!” you say, “Who wants to be so gloomy? Who wants to ponder their mortality?” None of us may find that a desirable thing, but remembering that we are dying brings amazing clarity to our choices or, at least it should. Is that diversion you spend so much time and money on really accomplishing the work of God in your life? Does getting more stuff and piling possessions higher really justify all those hours spent away from family? Will you be glad to look on Jesus’ face as He points to the treasure you have invested in Heaven’s storehouse? (and I’m not just talking about church offerings here!)

Ray Boltz penned another set of lyrics about the way to live with Heaven’s promise guiding this day’s decisions. It’s not as lyrical as Lennon’s lines, but it is much more compelling.

One by one they came,
far as your eyes could see.
Each life somehow
touched by your generosity.
Little things that you had done,
sacrifices that you made,
They were unnoticed on this earth
In Heaven now proclaimed.


Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am a life that was changed.
Thank you for giving to the Lord,
I am so glad you gave.

Let’s not miss out on the best life now.
Here’s the word from the Word.
“Then the King will say …
‘Enter, you who are blessed by my Father! Take what’s coming to you in this kingdom. It’s been ready for you since the world’s foundation. And here’s why: I was hungry and you fed me, I was thirsty and you gave me a drink, I was homeless and you gave me a room, I was shivering and you gave me clothes, I was sick and you stopped to visit, I was in prison and you came to me.’

“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’


Then the King will say,
‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’ " (Matthew 25:34-40, The Message)

Thursday, May 12, 2011

Paradox of Prayerlessness

In a book provocatively titled, Christian Atheists, Pastor Craig Groeschel writes about meeting a young woman, Michelle, who claimed Christ as her Savior, but who lived her own life in her own way. Here’s an exerpt: “As if in a confessional, Michelle continued pouring out her life’s darker details. She looked down as she admitted that she was doing things with her live-in boyfriend that she knew she shouldn’t. She told me she wanted to go to church but was simply too busy working and studying. She did pray many nights — mostly that her boyfriend would become a Christian like she was. “If only he believed in Jesus, then he might want to marry me,” she said, wiping her tears. At last, Michelle expressed one final confession: “I know my life doesn’t look like a Christian’s life should look, but I do believe in God.” Welcome to Christian Atheism, where people believe in God but live as if he doesn’t exist.”


In the average church concert will fill the sanctuary. Announce a prayer meeting and those that gather will be few. Why? Because conviction does not match profession. Most people desperately want to believe that there is a God who will keep them safe and whole, but few are willing to throw themselves on Him completely. God, even in the lives of many Christians is more like a lucky rabbit’s foot than a close Friend! Because these ‘Christian Atheists’ do not really know Him, they feel self-conscious, even silly, trying to converse with Him.
I challenge you to think about your life if suddenly church, pastor, songs, and Bible disappeared. Other than gaining a couple of hours on Sunday and missing a few friends, would anything really change for you? Is Jesus Christ the true center of your life? Are all decisions made with His approval, all fears taken to Him as your best Friend, all hopes centered on Him as your truest Love? Jesus, Himself, lamented the remote role assigned to Him by those claiming to be disciples. He cries, “So why do you keep calling me ‘Lord, Lord!’ when you don’t do what I say?" (Luke 6:46, NLT)

Groeschel observes that “a recent Gallup poll reported that 94 percent of Americans claim to believe in God or a universal spirit. However, a quick glance at Scripture and our culture makes it plainly obvious that nowhere near 94 percent actually know God. I mean, really know him — intimately. Belief isn’t the same as personal knowledge.” When we do spend time with someone who has gone beyond belief to truly knowing God, we quickly sense that there is a quality to their life that is beautiful and frightening at the same time. They live on a higher plane, not one of forced piety or devoid of human trials, but one of love, of purpose and of ‘wholiness’ that is enviable!

There is a cost to knowing God deeply. He is a jealous Lover. He will not share you and me with other loves. If we treat Him casually, ignore Him, or refuse His direction, His Holy Spirit will be grieve and He will remove the fellowship of His Presence from us. Tragically, many ‘Christians’ do not miss what they have never known. Once a person has walked with Him, feeling that alienation is heart-breaking, even terrifying. His love is so sweet that it is the most powerful deterrent to sinful behavior.

Disciple, let’s not live in the paradox of prayerlessness; as if we are orphans, when we might know a Father of richest resource. He invites us to come boldly, to ask for anything, to live in step with Him.

Here's a word from the Word, a prayer for this day.
"God—you’re my God! I can’t get enough of you! I’ve worked up such hunger and thirst for God, traveling across dry and weary deserts.


So here I am in the place of worship, eyes open, drinking in your strength and glory.
In your generous love I am really living at last! My lips brim praises like fountains.


I bless you every time I take a breath; My arms wave like banners of praise to you. " (Psalm 63:1-4, The Message)

Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Consumed with petty things?

Look at the ground, you see rocks. Lift your eyes, you see mountains!
Are you a person of vision? How you live, who you become, what you leave as a legacy will be determined less by ‘chance’ than by your vision. Let me illustrate this in the ordinary stuff of life.
• A married man sees a very attractive young woman who is available and knows he could have her if he wanted her. He lifts his eyes and sees his children’s future, his integrity with his wife, his relationship with God and lets the vision lead him past the temptation for a few moments of pleasure.

• An employee struggling to pay her bills sees that sloppy accounting procedures would allow her to take company funds. She lifts her eyes and sees the opportunities for promotion, the ability to sleep peacefully at night, and chooses to trust God’s promise for provision.

• A student sees that a website that offers to do the work of preparing that end of term project that he has not yet completed. He lifts his eyes and sees the character that comes from diligence, that he is learning to push through long hours of tedium to accomplish his goal and does his own work, feeling good about the choice.

What kind of person do you want to be? God, the Holy Spirit, promises to work deeply in each one of us, inspiring us with greater vision so that the petty temptations and problems of our lives do not consume us. Look at the Word. We pray for you "asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light. For he has rescued us from the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son he loves." (Colossians 1:9-13, NIV)
The way that passage unfolds excites me. A life worthy of the Lord, full of spiritual fruit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control- Gal. 5:22-23) flows from knowing what God wants. That’s vision! Further, we are promised His strength so we can stand against the winds of trial. That’s provision!
Disciple, don’t let your heritage in Christ become about just getting through the day. Pray for the ability to see all the way to Heaven! If you turn your walk with Christ into a religion of petty obligations, the glory is lost. Of course we have choices to make today that are sometimes difficult. We must deal with sin and temptation, but the heart of the Kingdom is about much more than just trying not to lose your temper, trying to be nice, or working at holding lust at bay! The Kingdom is about being full of the Spirit which displaces the power of evil in us. Trying to empty a room of darkness is an impossible task. Filling a room with light is as simple as lighting a candle!

Here’s the word from the Word. As you read it, give thanks that the Spirit calls you from darkness to Light, from petty religion to eternal glory, then lift your eyes and live like a King’s kid today. "This mystery has been kept in the dark for a long time, but now it’s out in the open. God wanted everyone… to know this rich and glorious secret inside and out, regardless of their background, regardless of their religious standing. The mystery in a nutshell is just this: Christ is in you, so therefore you can look forward to sharing in God’s glory. It’s that simple. That is the substance of our Message. We preach Christ, warning people not to add to the Message. We teach in a spirit of profound common sense so that we can bring each person to maturity. To be mature is to be basic. Christ! No more, no less." (Colossians 1:26-30, The Message)
_____________________

Lord, the light of Your love is shining
In the midst of the darkness shining;
Jesus, Light of the World, shine upon us;
Set us free by the truth You now bring us.
Shine on me, shine on me.

Lord, I come to Your awesome presence.
From the shadows into Your radiance;
By the blood I may enter Your brightness,
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.

As we gaze on Your kingly brightness,
So our faces display Your likeness;
Ever changing from glory to glory,
Mirror'd here, may our lives tell Your story.
Shine on me, shine on me.

Shine, Jesus, shine.
Fill this land
With the Father's glory;
Blaze, Spirit, blaze.
Set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow.
Flood the nations
With grace and mercy;
Send forth Your Word,
Lord, and let there be light.

Shine, Jesus, Shine

Kendrick, Graham
© 1987 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Freedom – God’s gift

Few concepts of Christianity are more abused and misunderstood than freedom in Christ! Some ignore the gift and keep on trying to please God by living under a heavy load of self-imposed rules that they imagine to be creating favor with the Lord. Others take the idea and run straight to unbridled indulgence of their whims and miss the beauty of a holy life, all the while insisting they are just exercising their liberty.

While in Pennsylvania yesterday, I visited a school that is noted for ‘holiness.’ There on a softball field were high school age students playing a game for gym – the boys dressed in long sleeves in the hot sun; the girls attempting to run the bases in skirts that reached to their ankles. From all appearances, I would guess that ‘freedom in Christ’ would not be a doctrine that is well understood in that setting. As an example from the other end of spectrum, I can think of a church noted for preaching about liberty in Christ where the leadership clothes themselves in high fashion and extremely expensive jewelry, which I am sure they wear without a thought for the message of cultural conformity they are proclaiming without words.

The truth is – neither group owes me or you an explanation! It is Christ they serve (hopefully!) and it is Christ to whom they will give account (most assuredly!). The Bible says, "Christ has truly set us free. Now make sure that you stay free, and don’t get tied up again in slavery to the law. (keeping rules that others write for you) Listen! I, Paul, tell you this: If you are counting on circumcision (the ritual that marked Jews as truly Jewish) to make you right with God, then Christ will be of no benefit to you. I’ll say it again. If you are trying to find favor with God by being circumcised, you must obey every regulation in the whole law of Moses. For if you are trying to make yourselves right with God by keeping the law, you have been cut off from Christ! You have fallen away from God’s grace." (Galatians 5:1-4, NLT)

Because Jesus Christ makes me right with God, by His death on the Cross, I am free from slavery to public opinion and human rules. Furthermore, Christ finished the work of my salvation. Oh, blessed thought. If I truly and faithfully receive His gift, I know that I can’t make myself any more acceptable to God by what I do, where I go, or how I eat. So, let’s ‘eat, drink, and be merry’ right? Wrong! There are choices to be made if that reflect our status as holy disciples of Jesus Christ. Those choices do not earn us ‘blessing points’ with our Father, but they do align us with His will and allow us to let His beautiful character shine through us.

For example, God tells us not to gossip about others. He gives us this rule because He wants us to enjoy the blessing of deep, trusting relationships. A person who is negative, who is always sharing the worst about others robs himself of that blessing. Will gossiping send us to Hell? No, but it will keep us from a blessing!

Another example is setting aside quality time for worship with others who love God. In the Old Testament, God gave His people the Sabbath rule. In the NT, the principle remains for us in the Lord’s Day. His desire is that we take a break from the usual stuff of our busy lives to look to Him in adoration and to get together with fellow disciples for encouragement and worship. Will a person lose his salvation if he fails to go to church every Sunday? No, but he will miss out on the renewal that corporate worship provides and the maturity that one learns when living in a close community.

Here’s a word from the Word. Read it prayerfully and thoughtfully. These words are rich in promise and call us to something higher than religious practice. Here God calls us to holy lives that are free but loving, without pretense, dedicated fully to the life in the Spirit.

"Let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. I know and am convinced on the authority of the Lord Jesus that no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat. But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person it is wrong. And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, you are not acting in love if you eat it. Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died. Then you will not be criticized for doing something you believe is good.


For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too." (Romans 14:13-18, NLT)

________

I stand on the shore of an ocean
Gazing out to sea;
He casts my sins to the waters,
And watches them sink down deep.

Oh, Love that covers me!
Oh, Truth that sets me free!
For I know my Savior lives today,
There's an empty tomb
And a promise made
That free in Him is free indeed!
I'm free, I'm free to live.

Free to Live
© 1998 Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

Ian White

CCLI License No. 810055