God’s counsel for Friday morning

For many it is the end of the work week,  TGIF!  Weary, are you?  There are different kinds of tired.  There is the fatigue that we experience after a day of physical labor when we crave a hot shower and the opportunity to stretch out on the couch.  We know a good night’s sleep will restore us. There is the kind of weary disappointment that we feel after we put in our best effort and come up with meager results. We sigh and realize that next week we will do it all again.  Refocusing ourselves, taking a break, brings back our hope. 

There is the exhaustion with life that finds us after an ongoing struggle when we are beat down – emotionally, spiritually, more than physically.  And, we wonder if we can get back up? This kind of weariness grows like a snowball rolling downhill.

When that kind of exhaustion overtakes us, we are in a dangerous place.  We are more likely to make decisions that we will come to regret. We become more susceptible to temptation.  The leash on our temper frays.  Short term gratification gains greater appeal because we lose sight of tomorrow.  So, what should we do?  Simply put – we need to sit down and shut up before we hurt ourselves or someone else.  We need to take a break.  Literally, we need to walk away from the struggle.  “But, Jerry, I am not a quitter.”  Taking a wise break for renewal is not the same as quitting.

God reminds us that in that season He is our Healer. "O Israel, how can you say the Lord does not see your troubles? How can you say God refuses to hear your case? Have you never heard or understood? Don’t you know that the Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of all the earth? He never grows faint or weary. No one can measure the depths of his understanding. He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. But those who wait on the Lord will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." (Isaiah 40:27-31, NLT)

Soul exhaustion can morph into a deadly kind of bitterness.  When it does we join the chorus that sings, "What’s going on here? Is God out to lunch? Nobody’s tending the store. The wicked get by with everything; they have it made, piling up riches. I’ve been stupid to play by the rules; what has it gotten me? A long run of bad luck, that’s what— a slap in the face every time I walk out the door." (Psalm 73:11-14, The Message)  We lose touch with reality replacing it with our clouded view of life. Even worse, we turn on the very One who could heal us.  Feel that coming?  Then, make yourself stop!  Take charge of your emotions and stop reacting to every jolt.   That same Psalm tells of a choice the weary one made. "When I tried to understand all this, it was oppressive to me ‘till I entered the sanctuary of God; then I understood their final destiny." (Psalm 73:16-17, NIV)  Humbly, we come and sit before the Lord, not to whine, not to gripe, not to rage nor to scream.  We just wait.  And, the Spirit finds us!

"Then I realized how bitter I had become, how pained I had been by all I had seen. I was so foolish and ignorant … Yet I still belong to you; you are holding my right hand. You will keep on guiding me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. But those who desert him will perish, for you destroy those who abandon you. But as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign Lord my shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do." (Psalm 73:21-28, NLT)   The questions about why may remain this side of Eternity, but the assurance found in faith restores the weary!

Weary this Friday?  Soul weary, exhausted, broken by disappointment in yourself or others or even with God Himself?  There is a rest for the people of God.  Stop struggling and trust.  Here’s the word from the Word. "Do you see what this means—all these pioneers who blazed the way, all these veterans cheering us on? It means we’d better get on with it. Strip down, start running—and never quit! No extra spiritual fat, no parasitic sins. Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we’re in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed—that exhilarating finish in and with God—he could put up with anything along the way: Cross, shame, whatever. And now he’s there, in the place of honor, right alongside God. When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again, item by item, that long litany of hostility he plowed through. That will shoot adrenaline into your souls!" (Hebrews 12:1-3, The Message)

TGIF!

___________

Let My Words Be Few

You are God in heaven,

And here am I on earth,

So I'll let my words be few.

Jesus, I am so in love with You.

And I'll stand in awe of You.

Yes I'll stand in awe of You.

And I'll let my words be few,

Jesus, I am so in love with You.

Beth Redman | Matt Redman

© 2000 Thankyou Music (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

Handcuffed by Shame?

 Everyone of us has done things we hope never make it to the light of day.  Hurtful words, cruel acts, lust indulged, advantage taken, greed run rampant are just a few of those regrettable acts.  Over the years I have heard some truly heartbreaking confessions in my church office and there are a some skeletons in my closet, too!  Shame can be (and often is) like a set of handcuffs. More than a few times people have told me - "I want to become  ____ (fill in the blank with your vision) that makes a difference for the Lord, but I cannot because I _____ (again fill in the blank with some sin or failure).   John Piper writes that "Satan uses guilt...to strip you of every radical dream you ever had or might have.  In their place he gives you a safe, happy, secure American life of superficial pleasures, until you die in your rocking chair."  He wrote that in the context of an article about sexual sin, but it can apply to every kind of moral failure. 

Millions of people who would like to do something for God conclude that they are  too stained, and thus, too unworthy, to be of any value to Christ.  Shame turns them from the noble calling of God to some lesser  pursuit;  things like success, accumulating wealth, or chasing fame.  Perhaps they are unaware that these are attempts to satisfy the need for significance that the Lord Himself put in us.  Shame handcuffs them. Guilt imprisons them in the past.  There is freedom!   It is not found in perfection, in piety, in attempts at rigid moralism. It is a gift of God.  Paul says this - "I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile. For in the gospel a righteousness from God is revealed, a righteousness that is by faith from first to last, just as it is written: “The righteous will live by faith.”" (Romans 1:16-17, NIV)  Christ Jesus came to save sinners and if we respond to His good news with faith, we are declared ‘right with God!’ 

No one is too anything to be beyond God's forgiveness.  The pages of the Bible are not packed with plaster saints.  They tell the story of real people, sinners who found God’s salvation. Paul persecuted Christians, even seeking their deaths, but he became an apostle of the Gospel.   David murdered a friend so he could marry the man's wife, but he became the author of worship songs in the Bible (the Psalms).   Peter swore he did not know Jesus at the very moment his Friend was being tried, but he became the leader of the Church in the early years of Christianity.

The remedy for sin - past, present, and future - is not found in religion, rules, or accountability groups.  Each of those things might serve some good purpose, but making you and me holy is not one of them!  

Holiness that qualifies us for the service of God results from a spiritual transformation that comes from knowing Jesus Christ and accepting for ourselves, through faith, what He did on the Cross on our behalf!   We do not get ourselves right with God!  We are made right with God.   " Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." (Romans 5:1, NLT) "And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory." (Romans 8:30, NLT)

Confessing the guilt, admitting to the shame, and receiving God’s grace silences the accusations of our conscience and the lies of the Evil One. Receive the righteousness that is perfect; that of the Savior.  What none of us can do on our own – living a holy life – is possible when the Spirit takes up residence in us. The paradox of the Cross-centered life is that God's greatest glory is revealed at the point of our greatest shame!   

Yes, we feel sorrow when we lie, cheat, serve our ego, and indulge lust as well we should, but let it be a godly sorrow that leads to repentance.   

Here's a word from the Word.  Let it inspire you today to do the will of God.

 
"This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it:
"Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"—and I am the worst of them all.
But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me
as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners.
Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.

All honor and glory to God forever and ever!
He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen."  - Paul   (1 Timothy 1:15-17, NLT)

I am free. There is no more condemnation for me, only the expectation of God’s welcome.  What about you?

_____________

This Is Amazing Grace  (Worship along with this song on YouTube)

Who breaks the power of sin and darkness?

Whose love is mighty and so much stronger?

The King of Glory, the King above all kings.

Who shakes the whole earth with holy thunder?

Who leaves us breathless in awe and wonder?

The King of Glory, the King above all kings.

This is amazing grace,

This is unfailing love,

That You would take my place,

That You would bear my cross.

You laid down Your life,

That I would be set free,

Oh Jesus,
I sing for all that You've done for me.

Who brings our chaos back into order?

Who makes the orphan a son and daughter?

The King of Glory, the King of Glory!

Who rules the nations with truth and justice,

Shines like the sun in all of its brilliance?

The King of Glory. the King above all kings!

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain.

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.

Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

Worthy is the King who conquered the grave.

Jeremy Riddle | Josh Farro | Phil Wickham

© 2012 Phil Wickham Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

Seems Like Music (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)

CCLI License # 810055

I’m going to celebrate at the finish line; so help me, God!

Remember the fable about a tortoise and a rabbit? It's so improbable! Wearied by the rabbit’s constant boasting,  the turtle challenged him to a race.  What kind of race would this be? The quick rabbit and a short-legged, heavy-shelled turtle in a race?  Aesop, the Greek story-teller who lived about 650 B.C., tells us that 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!

 

Those who are attractive or blessed with charisma enjoy many advantages in life.  Rewards often go to those who 'look' like winners.  Multiple studies reveal that tall men make more money, on average, than shorter men.  Blonde women are compensated better!  Workers who work out and stay fit are paid more! (You Are Judged by Your Appearance, Forbes, 2013) So, does that mean that all the rest of us are without hope?  If we don't have 'the look'  does it mean we cannot compete in the race, that we will never win?  Not at all!  Stars may get the attention, but the faithful plodders usually make the greatest difference over time.  They compensate for what they lack in 'star power' with hard work, networking, and showing up every day, on time, ready to do what they are asked to do. When the favorite one has dropped out, burnt out, or moved on; the steady one is still standing!

Christian, God values steady, faithful people in His Kingdom. Christianity has its share of super-stars who can tell miracle stories.  The church has a celebrity cult that equals that of the rest of the world.  Our stars come and go, but the work of God is done mostly by servants who work for the joy of the Lord, obscurely, faithfully, and effectively.  The truth is (and you need to believe it) that all of God’s children are gifted children! Teaching about the work of the Holy Spirit, Paul tells us "Each person is given something to do that shows who God is: Everyone gets in on it, everyone benefits. All kinds of things are handed out by the Spirit, and to all kinds of people!" (1 Corinthians 12:7, The Message)

Let’s not fall for the lie that we are not _________ (tall, rich, smart, pretty) enough to do well in God’s work.  Let’s not use our perception of some flaw in ourselves as an excuse to avoid serving the Lord.  When things get rough, and they will from time to time,  let’s take the lesson of Hebrews and “fix our eyes on Jesus who for the joy set before Him endured!”   Media portrayals aside, the truth is that Jesus did not rely on His attractiveness. Isaiah tells us that "There was nothing beautiful or majestic about his appearance, nothing to attract us to him. He was despised and rejected—a man of sorrows, acquainted with bitterest grief. We turned our backs on him and looked the other way when he went by. He was despised, and we did not care." (Isaiah 53:2-3, NLT)  But, He served well and saved the world from sin.

Are you overly confident because of your abilities?  Humility invites the real strength of the Spirit.  Are you wearied by rejection?  Take this promise to heart: "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)  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)

Here is the word from the Word, penned by Paul at the end of his life, a life that many thought was too ordinary, too weak, too flawed to be worth much, but one that God used to change history.

"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's applause!
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)

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?

_______

You'll Come

I have decided, I have resolved,

To wait upon You, Lord.

My Rock and Redeemer, shield and reward,

I'll wait upon You, Lord.

As surely as the sun will rise,

You'll come to us.

Certain as the dawn appears.

You'll come, let Your glory fall,

As You respond to us.

Spirit, rain;

Flood into our thirsty hearts again.

You'll come, You'll come.

We are not shaken, we are not moved,

We wait upon You, Lord.

Mighty Deliverer, triumph and truth,

We wait upon You, Lord.

As surely as the sun will rise

You'll come to us,

Certain as Your word endures.

Chains be broken, lives be healed!

Eyes be opened, Christ is revealed!

Brooke Ligertwood

© 2007 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055