A Beautiful Christian, a fluke of fate?

People who are attractive need to thank their ancestry.  A pretty face is a gift from our DNA.  Too many Christians believe that a beautiful Christian character is something that ‘just happens’ in the same way.  They are quite certain that a person needs the ‘right’ parents and the ‘right’ church to develop the likeness of Jesus.  Similarly, many think that failure and moral collapse results from some kind of bad ‘luck’ too.  We speak of someone 'falling into sin' as though we have no idea how or why it happened, as though it is just fate. 

Few things bring me greater joy than seeing a person who was mired in misery, living for Self, enslaved to self-defeating habits come to Christ, get saved, and start to become something beautiful!  My grandfather, an immigrant with no regard for the things of God, met Christ in a tent revival and left his old life behind. He became a follower of Christ and was profoundly changed. Many in my circle of friends were on a dead-end road until they accepted the truth of the Gospel.  They have continued to choose Truth, and their lives are transformed, a little each day!  I love a good ‘testimony!’

God calls us to faith, equips us to please Him, and invites us to grow in grace. Then, it is our decision. We can become a great Christian, or we can flirt with temptation until we fall.  That choice is ours! Am I suggesting that we can save ourselves by making good choices? No!  The foundation of Christianity is the gift of grace that comes through Christ Jesus.  But, being a follower, living a beautiful Christian life filled with spiritual fruit is a process in which we must be consistently engaged.  There are daily choices we make that will open our heart and mind to the Spirit, which will allow the grace grow in us replacing sin’s dysfunction with Christ’s wholeness.  

So, what are the choices for growth?

There is learning and living the Scripture's Truth.  "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." (Joshua 1:8, NLT)    Want to know why so many disciples are so wobbly weak, so inconsistent?   They are on a spiritual starvation diet!  They can recite sports stats with passion but have no working knowledge of the Scripture or what it means!  They may know Bible stories, but they do not adopt Scripture as the rule for life.  The Bible rearranges our mind- putting God at the center, making our purpose to know Him, and our destiny to live with Him forever. Those who own the Scripture, need not haul out their Bible at every moment, for the Truth is at work within them.  "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you.   ... Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:11,105, NIV)

There is prayer, constant contact with the Spirit.  "If we are living now by the Holy Spirit, let us follow the Holy Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives." (Galatians 5:25, NLT)  No friendship can flourish IF those claiming to be close do not speak to one another or do not make time to do things together, can it?  If we only pray on Sunday morning or when we jammed up by life, how will we ever be a friend of God?  He invites us to turn our thoughts to Him in the morning, through the day, and as the day closes.  We sing to Him, we speak to Him, we think often of Him.  Yes, this is not only possible, it is a wonderful way of life.  Learning to live near to the heart of God is a key to becoming a beautiful Christian. Why? Because where HE is, sin is not!  

A great Christian is not an accident of fate or DNA. He is one by pursuit of the Holy One, by pressing to stand near to His Lord, and putting the sinful nature to death by the power of God.  So, we present ourselves to God.  We learn the Truth and the Spirit reveals it to us.  We engage with Him,  letting Self die and the Spirit rule.  We choose to learn, to serve, to pray, to love, to forgive, to give ...  whatever He asks ... and we do so without complaint.  That is the process by which God grows great Christians, and others seeing the quality of our lives give Him praise.

Here is a word from the Word. "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." (Romans 12:2, NLT)  "And as the Spirit of the Lord works within us, we become more and more like him and reflect his glory even more." (2 Corinthians 3:18, NLT)

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This Is Amazing Grace (listen and worship!)

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.

Jeremy Riddle | Josh Farro | Phil Wickham

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

CCLI License # 810055

Jerry D. Scott, Pastor

FAITH DISCOVERY CHURCH

www.FaithDiscovery.com

Success - the process, the result

Driving the rural roads near my home, there are a couple of places where little crosses are set in the grass along the shoulder; memorials of a death.  A car ride to somewhere turned into an accident and a life ended.  Those little crosses remind me of another kind of wreck – of those who start a walk of faith with God, choosing His purposes. Then, they collide with difficulties; situations that many insist 'just cannot be part of God's plan,' and they let the situation overwhelm them.  Their walk with the Lord dies in the grip of bitter doubt.  This need not happen, but moving ahead demands courage.

Faith does not wipe away the problems of life. Loving God does not exempt us from disappointment.  Faith can (note the word) enlarge our vision so that we will trust God in the middle of the mess, as we pray for the experience to create in us a deeper obedience that reflect His beauty. But, some allow faith to ebb and they turn aside, give up, and attempt to create their own place of security and/or success.  They crash and quit.

Joseph, whose story is told in the first book in the Bible, received God’s promise and then endured two decades of endless disappointment before seeing the vision mature. "Dad, you;'ll never believe what I dreamt about my future.  God showed me that I will be greater even than you."   With those words, Joseph shared his dreams and earned the contempt of his brothers.  Months later, they sold him to slave traders headed for Egypt.  They were probably thinking, "Take that, dreamer boy.  Now let's see you become great."    

In Egypt,  Joseph's skill and integrity showed through and he soon became the manager of a rich man's household.   A short time later, when he refused the proposition of Potiphar’s wife, she falsely accused him of attempted rape, and he spent years in prison.   But God... was using each turn, each 'tragedy' to produce success!  Each disappointment was another mile along the road to the realization of the promise.  By faith, Joseph remained steady, and became the Prime Minister of Egypt.  His position allowed him, in the plan of God, to provide a safe home for his family in time of famine.   Because his story is told on a few pages of the Bible, we can lose sight of the agonizing nights of doubt, the days of despair that must have come his way.

Joseph's success did not begin the moment he took a seat next to Pharaoh!   He was successful when he trusted God while being taken into slavery, when he refused the advances of his master's wife, when he chose to be a model prisoner, when endured darkness, hoping for the light to break through.

God has a plan for your life!   He prepares circumstances that equip you with experience, situations that develop your character, and brings people into your path that move you towards that purpose.  The Scripture assures us that "we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son." (Romans 8:28-29, The Message)  The Bible promises us that God is always working in us and around us to accomplish His purposes.  The question- are we working with HIM?

We have a responsibility to exercise faith in our daily decisions that allows us to receive the promises of God.  In the days of disappointment we are told "... 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 10:35-36, NLT)  "... let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)  Don’t quit! Don’t detour into sin!  Stay steady.

Are you in a season of reward?  Praise God.   
Are you in a season of testing?  Pray for faith, vision, and courage.

Remember this, success is not just found in the outcome.  Success is also in the process.   The success of the second half of Joseph's life, when he was exercising power, riding in the royal chariot, and living in the palace is obvious.  But, Joseph was living a successful life long before that, in Potiphar's house, in prison - in the steady faith that caused him to make the right decisions, instead of the convenient choice.

Here's a word from the Word.  Meditate on it today and then live successfully!
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper.

Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you.

He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun." 
(Psalm 37:3-6, NLT)

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Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)

You call me out upon the waters,

The great unknown where feet may fail;

And there I find You in the mystery,

In oceans deep, my faith will stand.

And I will call upon Your name,

And keep my eyes above the waves,

When oceans rise

My soul will rest in Your embrace,

For I am Yours, and You are mine.

Your grace abounds in deepest waters,

Your sov'reign hand will be my guide.

Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me,

You've never failed and You won't start now.

Oh and You are mine.

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders,

Let me walk upon the waters,

Wherever You would call me.

Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander,

And my faith will be made stronger,

In the presence of my Savior.

I will call upon Your name.

Keep my eyes above the waves.

My soul will rest in Your embrace,

I am Yours and You are mine!

Joel Houston | Matt Crocker | Salomon Ligthelm

© 2012 Hillsong Music Publishing (Admin. by Capitol CMG Publishing)

CCLI License # 810055

Jerry D. Scott, Pastor

FAITH DISCOVERY CHURCH

www.FaithDiscovery.com

Mad as hell? (literally?)

“He is an angry man,” I thought to myself as the conversation continued. From the first word, his defenses were up.  His tone was curt, his words edged with accusation. His anger caused him to see ‘issues’ where there weren’t any, and provoked a defensive poster in me!  Feeling his hostility, I instinctively became guarded, carefully choosing my words, trying to end the conversation and step away. 

Anger has many roots. 
If we think we are being treated unfairly, we may grow angry.
If we feel threatened, fear rises and often anger accompanies it. 
When we become frustrated by some situation that does not go the way we would like it to go, anger can follow.

Anger is a dangerous emotion! Of course, it can be useful.  It motivates us to seek change. It can make us bold.  But, anger, like fire, requires strict boundaries.  Both, if kept where they belong, serve us well. When they are out of control, they become terribly destructive.  Christians, filled with the Spirit of God, will generally set aside anger and pursue peace.  Knowing we are held in God’s hand, kept by His promises, and assured of eternal life – we can lay down our weapons and meet those around us with an open heart.  Jesus said that ‘peacemakers’ will be called ‘sons of God.’  When we live in a way that builds bridges and creates relationship, we look ‘just like Dad.’  In His great wisdom, God reminds us, "Live in harmony with each other. … And don’t think you know it all! Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord.” (Romans 12:16-20, NLT)

If you think I am saying that living peaceably is easy, think again!  Choosing to love, refusing offense, demands the crucifixion of ego daily. Rude people will criticize, ignore, and say the most outrageous things to you and about you.  Mostly, they are just thoughtless, insensitive, or self-absorbed, so forgive them and ‘live in peace.’   We will, from time to time, meet people who are ‘bad to bone,’ who are full of evil intent. Even then, the God’s counsel is to "overcome evil with good." (Romans 12:21, NIV)

The person who chooses to love the Body of Christ more than his own preferences, who refuses offense, who prays to love - has chosen wisely.  As he cultivates the garden of his heart, inviting the Spirit to weed and water it, fruit of real Life becomes increasing evident – "God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. " (Galatians 5:22-23, CEV)  Do you see any of the anger so commonplace in our society in that Word?

A Christian who is at peace with God and living in peace becomes a source of life for his family, his friends; the whole world that he influences. Instead of swallowing the poison of wrath by holding a grudge, he chooses to drink deeply of Living Water that heals his soul. Instead of wrapping himself in burlap of self-pity, he puts on the garments of praise that lifts him from despair.

Are you angry today?
Has someone offended you, failed to appreciate your work, or falsely accused you?
Have your expectations gone unmet, your desire to be affirmed ignored or been unnoticed?

Are you frustrated?

Before you blow up, kneel down!

Memorize this passage. "He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city. " (Proverbs 16:32, NKJV)

You can attempt to vindicate yourself and punish the offender. If you do, everybody loses.
Or you walk with God, inviting the Holy Spirit to fill your heart with transforming grace. When He lives in us, love wins!

Here’s a word from the Word. Let’s live it. "Be even-tempered, content with second place, quick to forgive an offense. Forgive as quickly and completely as the Master forgave you. And regardless of what else you put on, wear love. It’s your basic, all-purpose garment. Never be without it. Let the peace of Christ keep you in tune with each other, in step with each other. None of this going off and doing your own thing. And cultivate thankfulness." (Colossians 3:13-15, The Message)

Jerry D. Scott, Pastor

FAITH DISCOVERY CHURCH

www.FaithDiscovery.com