Whatever happens…

Yesterday I went home a bit early from the office to get the lawn mowed before going back for a meeting.  At 3:30 it was beautiful, sun shining brightly, a light breeze stirring.  I finished up a little before 5. A few minutes later the sky darkened and down came the rain. It poured for about 10 minutes. Life is like that, isn’t it?  Life is good, friends are great, we are feeling joy. Cruising along, we are so grateful for the sunny skies and then it happens. “It” can be so many different things – sickness, job loss, accident, a broken heart. The reality of our faith or the lack thereof becomes evident in those kinds of days.

Listen to Paul’s counsel, inspired by the Spirit. He has just reminded those reading his letter that he is uncertain about whether he will live or die, that life means continuing service to Christ Jesus; that death is his homegoing to the home of his Father.
 

 In times of that kind of change, he says that there is a priority choice to be made.  "Whatever happens, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending as one man for the faith of the gospel without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God. For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have." (Philippians 1:27-30, NIV)

When things go upside in life, there are a variety of responses other than living in faith, aren’t there?   

Sometimes we blow up, raging in our frustration.  We lash out at anything and everyone because of our anger. 

Sometimes we shrink into a defensive posture, withdrawing from life and retreating into a sullen silence. 

Sometimes we become Chicken Little, so overwhelmed with fear that we run around declaring that the world is coming to an end! 

Sometimes we go off the rails trying to distract ourselves; chasing pleasure, spending too much, overeating.  

 God asks for a different response. “Live in such a way that you are a credit to the Message of Christ.” (The Message)

When we focus on faith, pull together in “one spirit,” refusing to let fear rule us a kind of beauty emerges in us, the Light of Jesus shining through us.  Even as I write these words, I shudder to remember some of those moments when I have not made the choice of faith and turned into an angry man.  But, I also remember moments when I chose faith, when there was a beauty in my brokenness that honored the Lord I love.  How about you?

Wouldn’t it be wonderful if our heritage as a Christian included only sunny days without trouble? But, that is not life in this world. A final observation from Paul’s letter this morning is the last part of the passage quoted above. Note it again- “For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for him, since you are going through the same struggle you saw I had, and now hear that I still have.”   Those difficulties are not a surprise to our Father in Heaven. He knows the paths we walk and prepares gracious gifts of patience and encouragement for those moments of suffering and struggle.

Let’s pray for the depth of faith to stay steady, to keep serving Christ as He desires whatever happens!

Here is a word from the Word.
"Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.
But they delight in the law of the Lord, meditating on it day and night.
They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither, and they prosper in all they do.

But not the wicked!
They are like worthless chaff, scattered by the wind.

They will be condemned at the time of judgment.

Sinners will have no place among the godly.

For the Lord watches over the path of the godly,

but the path of the wicked leads to destruction." (Psalm 1:1-6, NLT)
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“Everything happens for a reason’ is not true!

Seems to me that we are treated to the ‘crisis of the week’ by our news media. The imminent end of the world is always just around the corner. The world we live in does have real issues, but to get our attention everybody is screaming at full voice, hyping their concerns in the most apocalyptic terms. Remember when the news was full of stories about the collapse of bee colonies a decade ago?  We were warned that our food supply was threatened, that famine would follow, because of the critical importance of bees in the pollination process.  We’re still here and with plenty of food.  Was it a real issue? Yes, it was and continues to be a concern, but the end of the world was not about to happen!

Perhaps you are in a time when tomorrow is uncertain, when you cannot see a way forward. There may be voices, inward or even from people around you, that suggest the imminent end of your world. That day in March of 2014 when Bev was diagnosed with terminal cancer stands out vividly in my mind as a moment when the future went black!  When she stepped into eternity 20 months later, I could not imagine a life without her; yet here I am.  Life has continued, not as I might have wished, but it has gone on. I can even see where the Lord has used this sorrow like a chisel to shape me for His use, as an invitation to know Him more deeply.

There is a passage, written by Paul from prison, that is packed full of assurance for Christians who cannot see a way ahead. He does not ask us to give into Fate. He shows the foundation of hope, a strong faith!  Paul had preached the Gospel of Christ across the Empire for 20 years. He had not known much of what we would call success.  He met resistance, was criticized, had been thrown out of cities, and now was languishing in a prison. Yet, he is joyful and hopeful. Why? 

"Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. Because of my chains, most of the brothers in the Lord have been encouraged to speak the word of God more courageously and fearlessly. It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. The latter do so in love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice. Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that through your prayers and the help given by the Spirit of Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out for my deliverance. I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain." (Philippians 1:12-21, NIV)

He does not say that ‘everything happens for a reason,’ which is nonsense.  That line dismisses the reality of our choices and the power of evil implying that God causes all things, including those things that cause us pain and suffering.  That is simply not true.  He allows things to happen, but He not the author of evil!  Paul never suggested that God put him in prison.  But, he does have full confidence that God, in answer to prayer and as he walked in faith, was able to use his situation to bring about Kingdom results.  As he sat there, guarded by the elite soldiers of Caesar’s guard, he found an audience he could not have reached before.  He recognized that as he was faithful despite his problems, others would be encouraged to remain faithful, too.

He fully expected God to use his life and to protect his salvation.  The phrase that we need to know and understand is the final one – “For me to live is Christ and to die is gain.”   Dead or alive, Paul belonged to Jesus Christ and thus expected a win.  Alive, he continues to advance the Kingdom. Dead, he goes home to the Father.  Now that is a win-win if ever there was one.

In no way do I intend my thoughts to minimize your struggle.  Life can be hard.  We live everyday with the effects of sin’s curse in evidence. But, we are never without hope, if Christ is Lord. Expect the win, and allow that it may look nothing like you think it should. Continue to rejoice in the Lord.  He is at work to take those things that others, that the Devil, means for our destruction and to shape them into a means of displaying His grace and awesome power.  Steady on, patiently, in faith.

Here is a word from the Word.  It is not a simple thing.  But, it is a word to keep us when there appears to be no tomorrow. "And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory. What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us? Since he did not spare even his own Son but gave him up for us all, won’t he also give us everything else? Who dares accuse us whom God has chosen for his own? No one—for God himself has given us right standing with himself. Who then will condemn us? No one—for Christ Jesus died for us and was raised to life for us, and he is sitting in the place of honor at God’s right hand, pleading for us." (Romans 8:30-34, NLT)

Abba, increase my faith.

Turn my fears into courageous hope,

My struggles into a display of Your grace and mercy.

Whisper of Your power to save to me,

convince me that You secure my future, straight into Eternity.

Jesus, may You shine most brightly in me when the skies are dark.

Spirit of God, lead me on, through the storm, through the uncertainties,

Into the glorious Will of the Father.

Amen

Brainless Believers

 So, is this blog about politics? No, it is about discernment.

The debate over immigration policies that has filled up the news is an important one that is buried under sentiment, driven by undeniably sad pictures and stories of real suffering by real people. Any reasonable conversation is quickly overtaken by emotional shouts from both sides of the argument, by name calling, and caricatures of reality painted for propaganda purposes. What is needed is for clear minds, who will examine, think through, and sort out the tangled webs of economic opportunity, justice, and fear. But, alas we are blinded by our emotional responses. 

Is your Christian hope rooted in Truth, in a thoughtful examination of the Scripture that causes deep, profound, and personal change? 
Or, are you, like so many 21^st American Christians, basing your faith on the unstable foundation of emotions?  

In the contemporary Christian scene that is my home, much of our worship experience is designed primarily to move our hearts. The lyrics of many of our worship songs (and I do enjoy them!) often read more like a poem to a boyfriend than a declaration of wonder at the Almighty God. Thousands drift from church to church looking for some novel experience to stir jaded emotions, to somehow ‘feel’ the love of Jesus. Personally, we are tempted to ignore the hard issues of discipleship, preferring to read comforting passages of the Word that promise blessings and speak of God’s love over and over again. That we should be challenged to face up to Self, to kneel in silent, humble prayer, to practice disciplines, is beyond the grasp of millions.

Paul’s prayer does not ignore the role of both the heart and the mind. "And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:9-11, NIV)  We are to love Jesus, but not just for the warm fuzzies that come from that but to be drawn to a devotion that causes us to align our thoughts, words, and actions with the will of God! That demands reflection, interaction, and willingness to let the Spirit speak to things we cherish.  The result is that we discern what is best. We are no longer ruled by our emotions.  The Spirit makes our mind alive and able to accept Truth and reject deception so that our lives become beautiful whole and holy. 

The role of the Pastor is often see as a kind of chaplaincy, a person who comes into the life of the Christian in time of crisis to give aid and comfort. In fact, those who lead the Church are charged with a robust task of teaching, changing minds with Truth.  For what reason?   "Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church." (Ephesians 4:14-15, NLT)  Instead of pouting, crying, and whining when our emotions are frustrated, we become mature and able to do what we are called to do, regardless of whether we feel like it or not.  What a radical idea.

Let’s begin to cherish the mind again, thanking God for the wonderful emotions that make life richly textured, but capable of knowing Him both in Spirit and Truth.  Don’t be a brainless believer.  By the way, this is not about intellect, it is about the teaching of the Spirit who gives wisdom to those who hunger for Him.

The word from the Word today invites us to the beauty of a mature faith. "Work hard so you can present yourself to God and receive his approval. Be a good worker, one who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly explains the word of truth. Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behavior.  .. God’s truth stands firm like a foundation stone with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “All who belong to the Lord must turn away from evil.” (2 Timothy 2:15-19, NLT)

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Knowing You

All I once held dear built my life upon

All this world reveres and wars to own

All I once thought gain I have counted loss

Spent and worthless now compared to this

Knowing You Jesus knowing You

There is no greater thing

You're my all You're the best

You're my joy my righteousness

And I love You Lord love You Lord

Now my heart's desire is to know You more

To be found in You and known as Yours

To possess by faith what I could not earn

All surpassing gift of righteousness

Oh to know the pow'r of Your risen life

And to know You in Your sufferings

To become like You in Your death my Lord

So with You to live and never die

Graham Kendrick

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