Dennis Kozlowski was born in a poor neighborhood in Newark, NJ. With a combination of amazing ambition and incredible opportunity, he climbed the corporate ladder becoming the Chief Executive Officer of Tyco, International. His drive turned a small, unknown company into a profitable multi-national one, that made money for a lot of people. Along the way, Dennis lost his way! Making over $100 million a year, he became a symbol of greed and excess. There was a $60 million private yacht, a $2 million birthday party, the mansions in Boca Raton, Colorado, and New York, and private jets on call. Convicted of wrongfully using his company's funds and tax evasion, he now occupies a small cell in a New York State Prison. The money is almost all gone, and, he is mostly alone! His wife, Karen, on whom he lavished gifts, divorced him. His friends disappeared. In an interview with 60 Minutes (CBS News) he sadly admitted that they didn't care for Dennis, but rather for Dennis' money.
Solomon observed that "Wealth makes many "friends"; poverty drives them all away." (Proverbs 19:4, NLT) Jesus told a story about a young man who took his inheritance and went off to the big city where he "wasted all his money in wild living." (Luke 15:13, NLT) He ended up alone, working for a pig farmer, and thinking about home. Who wanted to hang out with a guy who was broke and homesick? That's the universal human experience. When we are winning at life, full of laughter, and going strong - everybody wants to be a friend. When the bad times come, sometimes as a result of our sinful and/or stupid choices and sometimes for reasons we cannot begin to understand, many of our 'friends' disappear. In those moments we discover who really loves us, don't we?
A person who invests himself in building a network of real friends, not just party associates, is a wise man! One of my goals as a Believer is to love others authentically, not just the beautiful, the whole, and the happy, but all those that are part of God's great big wonderful family. I want to filled with the heart of Jesus who loved the broken and cared about the hurting. The religious elite in Jesus' time hurled this 'accusation' at Him - "he is a friend of sinners." Those that they considered the outcasts of society, were not beneath Jesus' friendship. I know about that because- He loves me! At the point in my life when I was most broken, spiritually and emotionally, He was there. That's the kind of man I want to be for those who are my friends, a true friend for all times.
Acceptance should be the mark of the true Christian. Jesus said that our love for each other would distinguish us from the rest of the world. What kind of love? Certainly not the highly conditional kind that is withdrawn at the moment of failure, sickness, or misfortune! The quality of love that marks us is modeled on His love, a love that cost Him His life which He gave on our behalf while we were still rejecting Him, doing our own thing. His love for us is powerful. "First we were loved, now we love. He loved us first. If anyone boasts, "I love God," and goes right on hating his brother or sister, thinking nothing of it, he is a liar. If he won’t love the person he can see, how can he love the God he can’t see? The command we have from Christ is blunt: Loving God includes loving people. You’ve got to love both." (1 John 4:19-21, The Message)
Know somebody who needs a friend? Be a friend to them! Make the measure of the quality of your friendship, the friendship you have received from God.
____________________
What a friend I've found,
Closer than a brother;
I have felt Your touch,
More intimate that lovers.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,Friend forever.
What a hope I've found,
More faithful than a mother;
It would break my heart
To ever lose each other.
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus,Friend forever.
What a Friend© Martin Smith 1996 Curious? Music UK (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
Monday, July 30, 2007
Friday, July 27, 2007
Have you considered the outcome?
Bill Mason is an intelligent man. He was on the road to a successful life. Financially, he was doing well. He was happily married. A property manager by day, he became a jewel thief by night, and a very good one at that. He loved the thrill of finding a rich prospect, casing the apartment where the person lived, making a plan, getting in, and grabbing the jewelry. He stole gems worth millions of dollars from the wealthy, the famous, and celebrities. Then, he got caught.
The first time around he caught a big break, got immunity in exchange for his testimony, and was slapped on the wrist by the justice system. Did he learn his lesson? No! Within two years, he was back at it, addicted to the thrill and the easy money. He got caught again, did several years in prison, was divorced by his wife, and destroyed his life. Now older and seemingly wiser, he wonders he would be living today if he had thought of the future, instead of chasing the thrill of the moment; if he would be successful, still with his first wife, whom he loved?
Most of us won't become thieves or criminals like Bill Mason, but a lot of us will look for shortcuts through life, for the easy way to 'success,' however we define that. Solomon wryly observed - "There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. " (Proverbs 14:12, The Message) Whether it is personal integrity, spiritual maturity, financial success, or building a solid marriage; this is the truth - it takes wisdom to see beyond today and requires sustained effort!
God teaches us about the law of planting and harvest and it is not just true about what we put in our gardens! It is true in everyway. We must keep in mind that what we plant is what we will harvest; that we will harvest more than we planted; and that we will harvest only after we plant seeds!
Hosea preached to God's people urging them to plant for a good harvest.
"Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’
"But you have cultivated wickedness and harvested a thriving crop of sins. You have eaten the fruit of lies..." (Hosea 10:12-13, NLT)
One reason some give in to the temptation of the quick and easy way is that the results are so immediate! A person without integrity buys a degree online, exaggerates her experience, and maybe gets the job she wants. It looks so easy! But, then when she is exposed as a fraud, she loses it all! A person with integrity who wants to prepare for a long career put years in the classroom getting her degrees, takes the entry level job, deals with boring, miserable situations so that she can ultimately own the dream God put in her heart.
Take a lesson from the garden - weeds grow without cultivation. They grow quickly but they produce no fruit! If someone offers you a way that is 'too good to be true,' it is! If an opportunity appears that looks like a shortcut to the top, it will almost certainly lead to disaster.
Offer yourself to the Lord today. Ask Him to give you the courage, the wisdom, the patience to plant for a good harvest. Here's a word from the Word to meditate on today. It's familiar, but do not rush through it. Read with understanding, asking God to plant it deep in your heart.
"Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." (Galatians 6:7-9, NLT)
The first time around he caught a big break, got immunity in exchange for his testimony, and was slapped on the wrist by the justice system. Did he learn his lesson? No! Within two years, he was back at it, addicted to the thrill and the easy money. He got caught again, did several years in prison, was divorced by his wife, and destroyed his life. Now older and seemingly wiser, he wonders he would be living today if he had thought of the future, instead of chasing the thrill of the moment; if he would be successful, still with his first wife, whom he loved?
Most of us won't become thieves or criminals like Bill Mason, but a lot of us will look for shortcuts through life, for the easy way to 'success,' however we define that. Solomon wryly observed - "There’s a way of life that looks harmless enough; look again—it leads straight to hell. " (Proverbs 14:12, The Message) Whether it is personal integrity, spiritual maturity, financial success, or building a solid marriage; this is the truth - it takes wisdom to see beyond today and requires sustained effort!
God teaches us about the law of planting and harvest and it is not just true about what we put in our gardens! It is true in everyway. We must keep in mind that what we plant is what we will harvest; that we will harvest more than we planted; and that we will harvest only after we plant seeds!
Hosea preached to God's people urging them to plant for a good harvest.
"Plant the good seeds of righteousness, and you will harvest a crop of love. Plow up the hard ground of your hearts, for now is the time to seek the Lord, that he may come and shower righteousness upon you.’
"But you have cultivated wickedness and harvested a thriving crop of sins. You have eaten the fruit of lies..." (Hosea 10:12-13, NLT)
One reason some give in to the temptation of the quick and easy way is that the results are so immediate! A person without integrity buys a degree online, exaggerates her experience, and maybe gets the job she wants. It looks so easy! But, then when she is exposed as a fraud, she loses it all! A person with integrity who wants to prepare for a long career put years in the classroom getting her degrees, takes the entry level job, deals with boring, miserable situations so that she can ultimately own the dream God put in her heart.
Take a lesson from the garden - weeds grow without cultivation. They grow quickly but they produce no fruit! If someone offers you a way that is 'too good to be true,' it is! If an opportunity appears that looks like a shortcut to the top, it will almost certainly lead to disaster.
Offer yourself to the Lord today. Ask Him to give you the courage, the wisdom, the patience to plant for a good harvest. Here's a word from the Word to meditate on today. It's familiar, but do not rush through it. Read with understanding, asking God to plant it deep in your heart.
"Don’t be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant. Those who live only to satisfy their own sinful nature will harvest decay and death from that sinful nature. But those who live to please the Spirit will harvest everlasting life from the Spirit. So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up." (Galatians 6:7-9, NLT)
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Faith shows its true colors!
Yesterday I felt a lot of heartache. My friend, Joe, was having surgery to determine the extent of his colon cancer. I called his daughter to pray with her and found myself in tears as we talked to the Lord about her Dad. Another couple emailed to tell me that despite our fervent and hopeful prayers, they were not pregnant. I cried again, I think as much in frustration with the apparent silence of God in that situation as over disappointment. Another call came telling me of a man who is compounding his pain with one bad decision piled on another. I cried again, saddened by his blindness, praying for the Light to dawn on him. By noontime, I got in my car and drove away from the church thinking - "No more tears today." But those who were suffering went with me, carried in my mind and heart. I remained prayerfully broken-hearted for much of the day. Is that a bad thing? Not really.
Providentially, my study of the Scripture for the day was 'on point' as we say. Here's the text - "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors." (James 1:2-3, The Message) That is quite true! Normally on a Wednesday morning, I would busy myself with finishing notes for the evening's Bible study class, answering phone calls, making contacts, writing letters; the stuff a Pastor does. Not yesterday! Several times during the morning, my heart became so heavy for those I love that I pushed away from my desk to walk into the hallway and breath a prayer; more like sigh really. Yes, indeed, my faith-life was forced into the open, my dependence on the Lord more obvious. The demand for prayer persisted even into the wee hours of this morning, when I spent time with the Lord- called from sleep by the urgency of lifting those who suffer to Him.
We're so enthralled with the beautiful, the whole, and the happy that we sometimes deliberately close our eyes to the presence of the disfigured, the broken, and the sad. "Don't worry, be happy!" goes the catchy tune which describes what many want as the ideal life - one with unclouded skies and endless laughter. But the Bible reminds us that there is something about those who are 'not perfect' (are any of us perfect, really?) that God can use to help us become kinder, gentler, and more loving people - if we let ourselves be touched by true need. Don't get me wrong. I'm not asking for cancer, nor am I romanticizing the pain of deformity or sickness! But I am believing what the Bible teaches - that suffering plays a role in pulling me to Christ, in making me a better person than I likely would be if I never encountered a tough situation or shed a tear.
Stan Guthrie deals with moderate cerebral palsy. In an article contained in July, '07 issue of Christianity Today, he talks about 'stumbling after Jesus,' describing how his disability creates opportunity for God's grace to be made known in the world. From that unique perspective his words about suffering carry a powerful authority.
"I worry about our society's desire to engineer trials out of existence. ...
The Christian life was never meant to be a cakewalk, discipleship requires suffering, and spiritual victory presupposes struggle. ...
Carrying the burdensome cross on the way to his execution, Jesus publicly stumbled and fell - a humiliation many of who are 'differently abled' are all too familiar with. ...
We must not come to abhor those who suffer nor fear the trials that inevitably come our way. They are, to borrow an old phrase, means of grace. Only through suffering, disappointment, and death - and the rude remarks of children - are we weaned from the love of this world. There's more to life than happiness."
Beware of those who claim that Jesus Christ exempts the faithful from all sadness. Reject the twisted doctrine that teaches that with enough faith you can erase all disappointment, claim your prosperity, and make God do your bidding! He is God, and I am not. His ways, are higher than our ways. Yes, we work to build His kingdom and defeat the Curse of sin and suffering through Christ Jesus- but along the way to Heaven we will encounter plenty of it; and God will use it to mature us, to grow us deep in faith, and to release His grace into our lives, which will make something beautiful of our lives, beyond what we could ever be apart from His grace transformations. A broken heart can be like a prism which breaks white light into a rainbow of brilliant colors. As the Light of Christ shines through us we will refract the colors of faith before our world.
Here's a word from the Word for your thoughts today:
"God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor." (James 4:6-10, NLT)
Providentially, my study of the Scripture for the day was 'on point' as we say. Here's the text - "Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors." (James 1:2-3, The Message) That is quite true! Normally on a Wednesday morning, I would busy myself with finishing notes for the evening's Bible study class, answering phone calls, making contacts, writing letters; the stuff a Pastor does. Not yesterday! Several times during the morning, my heart became so heavy for those I love that I pushed away from my desk to walk into the hallway and breath a prayer; more like sigh really. Yes, indeed, my faith-life was forced into the open, my dependence on the Lord more obvious. The demand for prayer persisted even into the wee hours of this morning, when I spent time with the Lord- called from sleep by the urgency of lifting those who suffer to Him.
We're so enthralled with the beautiful, the whole, and the happy that we sometimes deliberately close our eyes to the presence of the disfigured, the broken, and the sad. "Don't worry, be happy!" goes the catchy tune which describes what many want as the ideal life - one with unclouded skies and endless laughter. But the Bible reminds us that there is something about those who are 'not perfect' (are any of us perfect, really?) that God can use to help us become kinder, gentler, and more loving people - if we let ourselves be touched by true need. Don't get me wrong. I'm not asking for cancer, nor am I romanticizing the pain of deformity or sickness! But I am believing what the Bible teaches - that suffering plays a role in pulling me to Christ, in making me a better person than I likely would be if I never encountered a tough situation or shed a tear.
Stan Guthrie deals with moderate cerebral palsy. In an article contained in July, '07 issue of Christianity Today, he talks about 'stumbling after Jesus,' describing how his disability creates opportunity for God's grace to be made known in the world. From that unique perspective his words about suffering carry a powerful authority.
"I worry about our society's desire to engineer trials out of existence. ...
The Christian life was never meant to be a cakewalk, discipleship requires suffering, and spiritual victory presupposes struggle. ...
Carrying the burdensome cross on the way to his execution, Jesus publicly stumbled and fell - a humiliation many of who are 'differently abled' are all too familiar with. ...
We must not come to abhor those who suffer nor fear the trials that inevitably come our way. They are, to borrow an old phrase, means of grace. Only through suffering, disappointment, and death - and the rude remarks of children - are we weaned from the love of this world. There's more to life than happiness."
Beware of those who claim that Jesus Christ exempts the faithful from all sadness. Reject the twisted doctrine that teaches that with enough faith you can erase all disappointment, claim your prosperity, and make God do your bidding! He is God, and I am not. His ways, are higher than our ways. Yes, we work to build His kingdom and defeat the Curse of sin and suffering through Christ Jesus- but along the way to Heaven we will encounter plenty of it; and God will use it to mature us, to grow us deep in faith, and to release His grace into our lives, which will make something beautiful of our lives, beyond what we could ever be apart from His grace transformations. A broken heart can be like a prism which breaks white light into a rainbow of brilliant colors. As the Light of Christ shines through us we will refract the colors of faith before our world.
Here's a word from the Word for your thoughts today:
"God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves before God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Come close to God, and God will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; purify your hearts, for your loyalty is divided between God and the world. Let there be tears for what you have done. Let there be sorrow and deep grief. Let there be sadness instead of laughter, and gloom instead of joy. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up in honor." (James 4:6-10, NLT)
Wednesday, July 25, 2007
Zealous, for what?
Ambition is one of those things that can be a blessing or a curse.
A person without ambition very likely will become a parasite who depends on others to keep him alive! Solomon's proverbs refer to the man without ambition as a 'sluggard,' and observes "A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing." (Proverbs 20:4, NIV) This man waits for life to happen, waits for easy money, big moments, and breaks. The consequence? A wasted life given to triviality.
At the other extreme, a person too full of ambition consumes everyone around him, turning people into objects to be used in his blind pursuit of fame, wealth, and power. This man is too busy chasing his dreams to be concerned with love, family, or loyalty. He's all about 'being somebody' in this world.
The balance is found in being ambitious about doing what God has called you to do in the best way possible, but always for His glory. The Word urges us to "make the most of every opportunity." (Col. 4.5) That is coupled with this admonition - "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, NLT) Staying centered on that path, where we work hard and strive for excellence while keeping ego in check, requires a daily conversation with the Holy Spirit, regularly examining our heart asking Him to show us the smallest evidence of selfish ambition. Finding it, we must deal with it ruthlessly, or it will quickly corrupt everything we do. One way to know when ambition has gone wrong is to ask, "whose approval am I seeking?" If you're asking - 'what would the neighbors think of me now?' or 'how can I impress him/her?' or 'do I look good (and I'm not talking about your hair!)?' - you're aiming at the wrong goal. Somebody said we perform for an 'audience of One.' Our ambition is to please Him - always.
James says that selfish ambition, the way of the world, is devilishly destructive. Godly ambition will fill our lives with a harvest of good things!
He writes - "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:13-18, NIV)
I want to make a difference in this world before God calls me home. That thought is never far from my conscious mind. "What are you doing today, Jerry, that is making the world in which you live a little better place?" But, I know it's a loaded question that can be answered wrongly if I begin to measure making a difference in any way other than faithfully seeking and doing God's will. I don't always get it right, either! Too many nights as I lay my head on my pillow and review the day prayerfully, my true motives become clear and I realize that what I said, what I did, was aimed at securing my place in this world or shining the spotlight on my reputation. But, thank the Lord, He is ready to forgive and to change my heart. And then, too, there are those moments when I sense the Spirit of God offering approval when I have served Him and in some small way built up the Kingdom of God.
Don't settle for drifting through life! Find out what God wants from you, then pursue it with your whole heart - always for the glory of God.
A person without ambition very likely will become a parasite who depends on others to keep him alive! Solomon's proverbs refer to the man without ambition as a 'sluggard,' and observes "A sluggard does not plow in season; so at harvest time he looks but finds nothing." (Proverbs 20:4, NIV) This man waits for life to happen, waits for easy money, big moments, and breaks. The consequence? A wasted life given to triviality.
At the other extreme, a person too full of ambition consumes everyone around him, turning people into objects to be used in his blind pursuit of fame, wealth, and power. This man is too busy chasing his dreams to be concerned with love, family, or loyalty. He's all about 'being somebody' in this world.
The balance is found in being ambitious about doing what God has called you to do in the best way possible, but always for His glory. The Word urges us to "make the most of every opportunity." (Col. 4.5) That is coupled with this admonition - "...whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God." (1 Corinthians 10:31, NLT) Staying centered on that path, where we work hard and strive for excellence while keeping ego in check, requires a daily conversation with the Holy Spirit, regularly examining our heart asking Him to show us the smallest evidence of selfish ambition. Finding it, we must deal with it ruthlessly, or it will quickly corrupt everything we do. One way to know when ambition has gone wrong is to ask, "whose approval am I seeking?" If you're asking - 'what would the neighbors think of me now?' or 'how can I impress him/her?' or 'do I look good (and I'm not talking about your hair!)?' - you're aiming at the wrong goal. Somebody said we perform for an 'audience of One.' Our ambition is to please Him - always.
James says that selfish ambition, the way of the world, is devilishly destructive. Godly ambition will fill our lives with a harvest of good things!
He writes - "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness." (James 3:13-18, NIV)
I want to make a difference in this world before God calls me home. That thought is never far from my conscious mind. "What are you doing today, Jerry, that is making the world in which you live a little better place?" But, I know it's a loaded question that can be answered wrongly if I begin to measure making a difference in any way other than faithfully seeking and doing God's will. I don't always get it right, either! Too many nights as I lay my head on my pillow and review the day prayerfully, my true motives become clear and I realize that what I said, what I did, was aimed at securing my place in this world or shining the spotlight on my reputation. But, thank the Lord, He is ready to forgive and to change my heart. And then, too, there are those moments when I sense the Spirit of God offering approval when I have served Him and in some small way built up the Kingdom of God.
Don't settle for drifting through life! Find out what God wants from you, then pursue it with your whole heart - always for the glory of God.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
The worth of another - what measure?
Paris Hilton attracted a huge amount of attention recently when she was sent to county jail for a charge of driving with a suspended license. TV networks devoted hundreds of hours to covering the story that was basically meaningless. But then again, Paris always attracts attention, doesn't she? You know who she is, don't you? Why do people pay attention to her? It is not that she has changed the world by some great act of selfless service! It is not that she is brilliant and has made some discovery that will bring benefit to millions. She is young, pretty, and rich! On the same day that Paris was sent to jail, hundreds of other women were also locked up all over America but nobody cared for the majority of them because they were poor.
Wealth has always attracted the attention of others - as far back as we can track history! Money is a magnet. Access to resources gives a person power over others; the ability to buy services and influence.
Believer - among God's people things should be different. Are they? It's a tough thing to face in ourselves - to admit that we are biased in favor of those who appear to have more wealth! But, apart from an ongoing transformational work of the Holy Spirit, we will value people differently based on the mere appearance that they have wealth. James, in his letter to Believers, addresses this issue. He says, "if you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, you won’t treat some people better than others. Suppose a rich person wearing fancy clothes and a gold ring comes to one of your meetings. And suppose a poor person dressed in worn-out clothes also comes. You must not give the best seat to the one in fancy clothes and tell the one who is poor to stand at the side or sit on the floor. That is the same as saying that some people are better than others, and you would be acting like a crooked judge. My dear friends, pay attention. God has given a lot of faith to the poor people in this world. He has also promised them a share in his kingdom that he will give to everyone who loves him. . . . You will do all right, if you obey the most important law in the Scriptures. It is the law that commands us to love others as much as we love ourselves." (James 2:1-8, CEV)
Today, let's invite the Spirit to show us where subtle bias for the rich is creeping into our lives. Let's ask the Lord to help us to show the same courtesy, to extend the same respect to the person who is poor as we would to the one with wealth. I want to have the Spirit's view of people; that sees each person for his character, that is aware of the spiritual needs of others regardless of the way they are dressed. the home they occupy, or the car they drive! If we treat the rich differently, another sin will find a place to take root in our hearts, envy. James warns us about that, too. "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." (James 3:13-16, NIV)
Contrast that kind of life with the one that is satisfied with God and good. Then, may you choose to live God's way! "True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. . . . So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction." (1 Timothy 6:6-10, NLT)
_________________
Father, thank you for the promise that
You will provide me with all that I need,
if I will trust You with my life.
Help me, Lord, to be contented with the things I have,
accepting of each blessing You allow me to enjoy
without wanting what another has.Protect me from the sins of prejudice and envy.
Show me any place where they have taken root in my heart,
and help me to dig them out, to become a man who loves others like Jesus did.
To the glory of Your Name, I pray.
Amen.
Wealth has always attracted the attention of others - as far back as we can track history! Money is a magnet. Access to resources gives a person power over others; the ability to buy services and influence.
Believer - among God's people things should be different. Are they? It's a tough thing to face in ourselves - to admit that we are biased in favor of those who appear to have more wealth! But, apart from an ongoing transformational work of the Holy Spirit, we will value people differently based on the mere appearance that they have wealth. James, in his letter to Believers, addresses this issue. He says, "if you have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, you won’t treat some people better than others. Suppose a rich person wearing fancy clothes and a gold ring comes to one of your meetings. And suppose a poor person dressed in worn-out clothes also comes. You must not give the best seat to the one in fancy clothes and tell the one who is poor to stand at the side or sit on the floor. That is the same as saying that some people are better than others, and you would be acting like a crooked judge. My dear friends, pay attention. God has given a lot of faith to the poor people in this world. He has also promised them a share in his kingdom that he will give to everyone who loves him. . . . You will do all right, if you obey the most important law in the Scriptures. It is the law that commands us to love others as much as we love ourselves." (James 2:1-8, CEV)
Today, let's invite the Spirit to show us where subtle bias for the rich is creeping into our lives. Let's ask the Lord to help us to show the same courtesy, to extend the same respect to the person who is poor as we would to the one with wealth. I want to have the Spirit's view of people; that sees each person for his character, that is aware of the spiritual needs of others regardless of the way they are dressed. the home they occupy, or the car they drive! If we treat the rich differently, another sin will find a place to take root in our hearts, envy. James warns us about that, too. "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice." (James 3:13-16, NIV)
Contrast that kind of life with the one that is satisfied with God and good. Then, may you choose to live God's way! "True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. . . . So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content. But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction." (1 Timothy 6:6-10, NLT)
_________________
Father, thank you for the promise that
You will provide me with all that I need,
if I will trust You with my life.
Help me, Lord, to be contented with the things I have,
accepting of each blessing You allow me to enjoy
without wanting what another has.Protect me from the sins of prejudice and envy.
Show me any place where they have taken root in my heart,
and help me to dig them out, to become a man who loves others like Jesus did.
To the glory of Your Name, I pray.
Amen.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Point me in the right direction, Lord!
Do you ever deal with being anxious? At one time or another, we all do. Health issues, financial decisions, job choices, the future of our children's lives, our businesses - are all potential sources of worry. On more than a few nights my eyes refuse to close in restful sleep while my mind does calculations about some personal challenge, a decision I need to make, or the demand to develop a strategy to address an upcoming change in the church which I serve. When I feel stress, I am often not as gentle and patient as I ought to be which, later on, makes me feel even more stress about the words or actions I used when under pressure! I could excuse my tendency to be anxious, my short-temperedness, or my lack of faith with a dismissive 'that is just who I am.' I could point out that I am wired as a "type A" leader who is action-oriented. Or, I can do the right thing and submit to Jesus, my Master and Lord, letting the Spirit change my heart. Thankfully, He has done and is doing this in me, to the glory of His Name.
The late Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, a ministry that became a major force in the work of the Lord in the last 40 years, had many reasons to be stressed. He was head of an organization that was huge, that was always in need of funds, and that had thousands of associates on hundreds of campuses around the world. But, Dr. Bright was consistently a man of cheerful temperament, relaxed, and apparently beyond worry. His son reports on the moment when he came to understand why his Dad was this way, even under pressure. It was an interview with a reporter from a Christian magazine.
"Dr. Bright," the reporter asked, "share with us a problem from your life that the average Christian could relate to."
"I don't have any problems" Bright replied.
The reporter pressed, "Don't over-spiritualize this. We all have problems."
"Young man," Bright replied, "you need to understand that I understand that I am a slave of Jesus. A slave doesn't have any problems. The only thing a slave has to do is what his master tells him to do. He doesn't have to be successful. When you really understand that, all the of the sudden, you don't have any problems anymore. All you have are opportunities to see God work." - quoted in REV. Magazine, July/August, 2007
Anxiety is an expression of ego, a revelation that we assume we are 'in charge.' Faith that is deep and wide, causes us to surrender our illusions of mastery of our lives and to live at peace in the Presence of God. Now, we must be consistent in that faith. If we run ahead of the Lord and make decisions in our own wisdom: creating debt, taking on too much responsibility, etc. - it is immature and irresponsible to decide, only after the fact, to throw it all on the Lord and expect that He should painlessly lead us out of the problems that we created for ourselves! The kind of faith that allowed Dr. Bright to live with serenity started before he made decisions. He let God lead - from the beginning. Does that mean we can't ask the Lord to help us with situations we created in ignorance or through willful expression of ego? No, of course not. He loves us even when we're dumb or sinful. But we need to acknowledge our sins of presumption, first!
Today - at the beginning of a new week - take a few moments to give yourself anew to the Lord. Say it out loud - "Lord God, I am your servant. I exist to do Your will, to fulfill your expectations, to carry out your purposes." Sum up the things that are making you impatient, that are keeping you awake at night, that make you weary from worry - write the list down - and lay it before the Lord and pray - "Lord, these are my concerns. I want to meet them in the way that You desire, for You know all my tomorrows, and You know what is best for me in the light of eternity." And then, leave them there. You can find peace - no matter the situation.
Here's a word from the Word to take with you today.
". . . serve each other in humility, for "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation." (1 Peter 5:5-10, NLT)
The late Dr. Bill Bright, founder of Campus Crusade for Christ, a ministry that became a major force in the work of the Lord in the last 40 years, had many reasons to be stressed. He was head of an organization that was huge, that was always in need of funds, and that had thousands of associates on hundreds of campuses around the world. But, Dr. Bright was consistently a man of cheerful temperament, relaxed, and apparently beyond worry. His son reports on the moment when he came to understand why his Dad was this way, even under pressure. It was an interview with a reporter from a Christian magazine.
"Dr. Bright," the reporter asked, "share with us a problem from your life that the average Christian could relate to."
"I don't have any problems" Bright replied.
The reporter pressed, "Don't over-spiritualize this. We all have problems."
"Young man," Bright replied, "you need to understand that I understand that I am a slave of Jesus. A slave doesn't have any problems. The only thing a slave has to do is what his master tells him to do. He doesn't have to be successful. When you really understand that, all the of the sudden, you don't have any problems anymore. All you have are opportunities to see God work." - quoted in REV. Magazine, July/August, 2007
Anxiety is an expression of ego, a revelation that we assume we are 'in charge.' Faith that is deep and wide, causes us to surrender our illusions of mastery of our lives and to live at peace in the Presence of God. Now, we must be consistent in that faith. If we run ahead of the Lord and make decisions in our own wisdom: creating debt, taking on too much responsibility, etc. - it is immature and irresponsible to decide, only after the fact, to throw it all on the Lord and expect that He should painlessly lead us out of the problems that we created for ourselves! The kind of faith that allowed Dr. Bright to live with serenity started before he made decisions. He let God lead - from the beginning. Does that mean we can't ask the Lord to help us with situations we created in ignorance or through willful expression of ego? No, of course not. He loves us even when we're dumb or sinful. But we need to acknowledge our sins of presumption, first!
Today - at the beginning of a new week - take a few moments to give yourself anew to the Lord. Say it out loud - "Lord God, I am your servant. I exist to do Your will, to fulfill your expectations, to carry out your purposes." Sum up the things that are making you impatient, that are keeping you awake at night, that make you weary from worry - write the list down - and lay it before the Lord and pray - "Lord, these are my concerns. I want to meet them in the way that You desire, for You know all my tomorrows, and You know what is best for me in the light of eternity." And then, leave them there. You can find peace - no matter the situation.
Here's a word from the Word to take with you today.
". . . serve each other in humility, for "God opposes the proud but favors the humble." So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.
Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.
Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Stand firm against him, and be strong in your faith. Remember that your Christian brothers and sisters all over the world are going through the same kind of suffering you are. In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation." (1 Peter 5:5-10, NLT)
Friday, July 20, 2007
Watch out for 'worldliness!'
Believer, as a result of knowing Jesus, our lives are to be distinctly different from the lives of those who do not yet know the Lord! Thank God for the difference. Because the Holy Spirit has restored our relationship to God and brought us life, we no longer are captives of lust, greed, and hatred. We are to be people of love, contentment, and joy. But, there are choices to be made - everyday - that allows the work of God to be accomplished in us. Let me illustrate with a little story. I enjoy country music and this week while I was driving to the hospital to encourage a friend, had Cat Country 96 on my radio. All at once I really began hearing what was coming out of the speakers! It was Trace Atkins singing about a middle-aged man in a bar who watching a young woman dressed in tight jeans dancing. The Holy Spirit whispered to me - "Jerry, is this song helping you to purely love the young women in your pastoral care?" It took me 2 seconds to change the station!! Laugh if you want to, but I'm OK with having a different moral standard for the Lord's sake.
Here's another example. Believers have recognized the importance of clean speech, ridding themselves of foul and profane expressions. Then a couple of years ago along came Donald Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz, (overall I enjoyed it, by the way) which included a passage celebrating the so-called 'cussing pastor' of a church in Seattle who sprinkles his sermons with profanity in an attempt to be relevant to his culture. Being relevant is a good motive. Choosing to use profanity to do it is the wrong choice. I wonder how many Christians read Miller's book and took that chapter as an excuse to keep dropping the 'F' word when they were upset?
Even as I write these words, I know there is a distinct possibility that some will make the same mistake that I made in my youth when I confused the guidelines for holy living with the reality of the Christian life! I thought I was a Christian because I scrupulously observed a code that did not allow for any 'worldly' entertainment, profanity, use of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products, etc. I got things out of order, thinking that my hard work at being good, at least according to the rules I had been taught, was what made me a Christian. The Word taught me that being 'in Christ' was what made holy living possible. Peter urges those who are filled with God's Spirit to let His life fully develop. "Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world." (1 Peter 2:11-12, NLT)
The difference in the lives of those who are filled with the Holy Spirit is a beautiful difference called holiness. It is expressed in big and small ways in our daily lives. And, when we choose to listen to the Spirit's direction, holiness creates greater intimacy. Take a look at this passage - "...we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:15-18, NIV)
There is a balance between living 'in the world,' and being 'of the world.' Believers cannot share Christ with the people around if they close themselves into holy huddles that exclude everyone they perceive as 'not one of us.' But, if we are so full of the culture, the values, and the ways of the world - we will lose the intimacy with God that makes us distinct and that allows us to know those qualities that make Christianity a thing to be desired.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—
comes not from the Father but from the world.
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:15-17, NIV)
Here's another example. Believers have recognized the importance of clean speech, ridding themselves of foul and profane expressions. Then a couple of years ago along came Donald Miller's book, Blue Like Jazz, (overall I enjoyed it, by the way) which included a passage celebrating the so-called 'cussing pastor' of a church in Seattle who sprinkles his sermons with profanity in an attempt to be relevant to his culture. Being relevant is a good motive. Choosing to use profanity to do it is the wrong choice. I wonder how many Christians read Miller's book and took that chapter as an excuse to keep dropping the 'F' word when they were upset?
Even as I write these words, I know there is a distinct possibility that some will make the same mistake that I made in my youth when I confused the guidelines for holy living with the reality of the Christian life! I thought I was a Christian because I scrupulously observed a code that did not allow for any 'worldly' entertainment, profanity, use of alcoholic beverages or tobacco products, etc. I got things out of order, thinking that my hard work at being good, at least according to the rules I had been taught, was what made me a Christian. The Word taught me that being 'in Christ' was what made holy living possible. Peter urges those who are filled with God's Spirit to let His life fully develop. "Dear friends, I warn you as "temporary residents and foreigners" to keep away from worldly desires that wage war against your very souls. Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world." (1 Peter 2:11-12, NLT)
The difference in the lives of those who are filled with the Holy Spirit is a beautiful difference called holiness. It is expressed in big and small ways in our daily lives. And, when we choose to listen to the Spirit's direction, holiness creates greater intimacy. Take a look at this passage - "...we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people." "Therefore come out from them and be separate, says the Lord. Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you." "I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty." (2 Corinthians 6:15-18, NIV)
There is a balance between living 'in the world,' and being 'of the world.' Believers cannot share Christ with the people around if they close themselves into holy huddles that exclude everyone they perceive as 'not one of us.' But, if we are so full of the culture, the values, and the ways of the world - we will lose the intimacy with God that makes us distinct and that allows us to know those qualities that make Christianity a thing to be desired.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today.
"Do not love the world or anything in the world.
If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does—
comes not from the Father but from the world.
The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever." (1 John 2:15-17, NIV)
Thursday, July 19, 2007
At rest in Him, filled with confidence
When I bought my car last year, there was a 'bumper to bumper' warranty that came with it for the first 36,000 miles or 3 years. Recently the leather on the driver's seat started to crack and tear, so when I had in for service, I asked the service manager about it. Later when I picked it up, he said, "There's a flaw in that and we're ordering a new one for you which we will install at no charge to you, Jerry." It's great to know that at least until August, 2009 - there will be no auto repair costs in my budget. There is a kind of 'rest' that is produced by the guarantee and confidence that comes from my experience with a dealership that backs it up. I enjoy another kind of confidence, a real sense of settled peace, in an area of my life that is much more important.
My soul is at rest and I am full of confidence in God's promise to save and keep me in His grace! This was not always so. When I was still a school age kid, there were days when I was not 'good,' and because of an immature understanding of the salvation that is ours through Christ, I reasoned that my lack of goodness was cause for fear. I heard a lot about Jesus' returning at any moment for those who loved Him. "Rapture fever" was everywhere in the 1970's! On those days when I knew I had done wrong, I would get off of the bus and run all the way to the house, throw open the door, and yell, "Mom!" If she answered, a great flood of relief would come over me. I figured my Mom was the most righteous person I knew, so if she was still around, then Jesus had not returned and I was not 'left behind.'
Thankfully, since then I have found His grace is greater than my sin and that there is reason for confidence in His saving work. In His grace, there is rest; a real and settled peace for our souls. Here is how the writer of Hebrews explains it: ". . . there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world." (Hebrews 4:9-10, NLT) "So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:14-16, NLT)
The writer of Hebrews warns, again and again, about the possibility of turning away from the living God. "Make every effort...." is a phrase that is used repeatedly in Hebrews to encourage us to press on, to grow in holiness. The Word asserts that apostasy (rejecting the truth that saves us) is a distinct possibility. But, the warning is not a cause for terror! When we grasp the dimensions of the grace that is found in Christ Jesus, when don't have to run and hide like Adam and Eve did when they sinned. As the Scripture quoted above teaches, when we fail, when temptation rises up and we make the wrong choice, we are invited to 'come boldly to the throne... and receive mercy." The greater our grasp of grace, the deeper will be our commitment. When we understand that Jesus Christ is a priest who really understands the temptations we experience, we will be authentic, transparent before Him, and thus find the Spirit's power to overcome. If we believe, even a little bit, that we are capable of 'saving ourselves' by being good, serving well, or through some great sacrifice, we will never be at rest in Him.
In chapter 9 of Hebrews, we are reminded that once people had to bring the blood of animals to God for the covering of their sins. The writer reasons with us saying, if the blood of bulls and goats could take away the penalty of sin before God, "think how much more the blood of Christ cleans up our whole lives, inside and out. Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God. " (Hebrews 9:14-15, The Message)
Don't let yourself live in fear, in an 'up and down' kind of Christianity that focuses on good works as the source of confidence! Look to the Cross of Christ. Come boldly to the throne of a gracious God and take the grace provided fully by Christ, whose offering for sin is complete. Be at rest in Him, and thus, filled with confidence that allows you to live a holy life that is heart-deep, truly authentic. From a place of blessed assurance, go and do great work, motivated not by fear, but by love and gratefulness.
________________________
My soul is at rest and I am full of confidence in God's promise to save and keep me in His grace! This was not always so. When I was still a school age kid, there were days when I was not 'good,' and because of an immature understanding of the salvation that is ours through Christ, I reasoned that my lack of goodness was cause for fear. I heard a lot about Jesus' returning at any moment for those who loved Him. "Rapture fever" was everywhere in the 1970's! On those days when I knew I had done wrong, I would get off of the bus and run all the way to the house, throw open the door, and yell, "Mom!" If she answered, a great flood of relief would come over me. I figured my Mom was the most righteous person I knew, so if she was still around, then Jesus had not returned and I was not 'left behind.'
Thankfully, since then I have found His grace is greater than my sin and that there is reason for confidence in His saving work. In His grace, there is rest; a real and settled peace for our souls. Here is how the writer of Hebrews explains it: ". . . there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world." (Hebrews 4:9-10, NLT) "So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most." (Hebrews 4:14-16, NLT)
The writer of Hebrews warns, again and again, about the possibility of turning away from the living God. "Make every effort...." is a phrase that is used repeatedly in Hebrews to encourage us to press on, to grow in holiness. The Word asserts that apostasy (rejecting the truth that saves us) is a distinct possibility. But, the warning is not a cause for terror! When we grasp the dimensions of the grace that is found in Christ Jesus, when don't have to run and hide like Adam and Eve did when they sinned. As the Scripture quoted above teaches, when we fail, when temptation rises up and we make the wrong choice, we are invited to 'come boldly to the throne... and receive mercy." The greater our grasp of grace, the deeper will be our commitment. When we understand that Jesus Christ is a priest who really understands the temptations we experience, we will be authentic, transparent before Him, and thus find the Spirit's power to overcome. If we believe, even a little bit, that we are capable of 'saving ourselves' by being good, serving well, or through some great sacrifice, we will never be at rest in Him.
In chapter 9 of Hebrews, we are reminded that once people had to bring the blood of animals to God for the covering of their sins. The writer reasons with us saying, if the blood of bulls and goats could take away the penalty of sin before God, "think how much more the blood of Christ cleans up our whole lives, inside and out. Through the Spirit, Christ offered himself as an unblemished sacrifice, freeing us from all those dead-end efforts to make ourselves respectable, so that we can live all out for God. " (Hebrews 9:14-15, The Message)
Don't let yourself live in fear, in an 'up and down' kind of Christianity that focuses on good works as the source of confidence! Look to the Cross of Christ. Come boldly to the throne of a gracious God and take the grace provided fully by Christ, whose offering for sin is complete. Be at rest in Him, and thus, filled with confidence that allows you to live a holy life that is heart-deep, truly authentic. From a place of blessed assurance, go and do great work, motivated not by fear, but by love and gratefulness.
________________________
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Do dogs go to Heaven?
The promise of Heaven is sweet! If your concept of heaven is drawn from movies and pop songs you really don't have a clue! Heaven is not earth minus sorrow and sickness. Heaven is a whole new, wonderful existence in the Presence of God. I get amused when I am drawn into discussions about pets being in Heaven or romantic ideas about big family reunions, but I understand why we desire that. That dog who gives us so much happiness, those moments of good feelings that come out of big family gatherings, are high points in life, so we assume that if Heaven is about joy, then these kinds of things must be it. If your mental image of Heaven is a lot of people in robes, strumming harps, and floating around on clouds, no wonder you don't look forward to going there.
Kevin Miller illustrates the difficulty that we have grasping the joy of Heaven in this way. "Let’s imagine that I tell my four-year-old son,
“Andrew, when you grow up, if you get married, your honeymoon will be one of the most delightful and wonderful times of your life.”
He says, “Oh, you mean I can take my toy dinosaurs along?”
“Uh, no . . . you probably won’t want to. But you'll still have a fantastic time.”
“Well, can Jeffrey from next door come along on my honeymoon?”
“No, sorry,” I tell him.
“I don’t know if I want to go on a honeymoon, Daddy. It doesn't sound like any fun.”
“Trust me, Andrew: you will enjoy it, even though you can’t understand it right now.”
Heaven will give us incredible joy—but at a higher, richer level than we've ever experienced. It’s natural not to understand it all now." Discipleship Journal : Issue 57. 1999
The Bible only sketches the outlines of what Heaven is like for that very reason! Even if the Lord tried to explain it all to us, we just wouldn't get it. The writers of Scripture use the images and language available in their attempts to describe what God was showing them about things that defy description. So you have Isaiah, Zechariah, and John telling us about amazing creatures that circle a Throne, about smoke, and seas of glass. We must not doubt their word, but we are wise to understand that they are using earthly language to tell us about a completely unearthly place! Thus, we must not force the metaphors too literally. If we do, we may miss the true wonder of what God has planned for our eternal home.
What do we know about Heaven that brings us hope and keeps us on track while we wait to go there?
God is there! "Uh, Jerry, how about something I don't know." I mean it! The God we've loved from a distance, Whose purposes and plans sometimes confuse us, Who actions are beyond our figuring out, will be our Friend, will be accessible, and we will worship Him face to face. John attempts to show us the wonder of that moment and says, "Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." (Revelation 21:3-4, NLT)
The beauty of it is beyond imagination. John talks about dazzling splendor, streets of gold, and pearly gates! Once again, he's using the language available to try to tell us about things for which there are no words. What I do know is that God is the Builder, the Architect, of the place where I will spend eternity. I can see what He's made here on Earth, a place ultimately destined for destruction, a temporary home - so I can only try imagine what He's done with the forever home He's prepared for His people.
All things are made new- no rust, no death, no sin! "And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" (Revelation 21:5, NLT) If you know me, you are aware that I like automobiles. Mine always shines and I take pleasure (too much perhaps) when I get a new one. The one I drove off the lot last year is already showing the signs of use. There's a crack in the front bumper where a chunk of ice hit it last Winter. There are scratches in the paint from stones in the road. The carpet has become soiled despite my efforts to keep it clean. That's just life! Everything we know is subject to decay and all living things ultimately die. But, in Heaven, it's different. How? I don't know, but God promises all things new and no decay! Jesus urges us to "Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy..." (Matthew 6:20, NLT)
Joy will be complete! Life's happiest moments are always tinged with sadness here on earth, aren't they? I so enjoyed my grandsons visit for the last two weeks. When they snuggled up close with me, when we shared lunch at Hotdog Johnnie's, when they played in the yard and I listened to their little voices full of delight at bugs and beetles - it was great, a wonderful feeling. But, I knew that they would grow up in a few years and Grandpa would be the old guy they saw at Christmas, more and more remote from their lives. Heaven knows nothing of that kind of thing. There only joy reigns. There no ends are anticipated, no sorrow invades, no disappointment lurks in the shadows.
So, what about that opening line about dogs in Heaven? It was just there to get your attention! I don't know -- and in light of the glories I do know about -- I'm quite content to wait and see what God has planned about that little detail.
Are you prepared for Heaven? The only way to know, for sure, is to receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior today! If He is that to you, then this is your promise: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." (Matthew 25:34, NLT) Believer, do not lose sight of Heaven. The promise keeps us on track when the Enemy tempts us with sin. Heaven;'s promise gives us hope when life's challenges rise up and seem ready to crush us. And, Heaven is our inheritance.
_______________________________
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed,
He'll prepare for us a place.
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory.
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we'll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open,
We shall tread the streets of gold.
When We All Get to Heaven© Public Domain CCLI License No. 810055
Kevin Miller illustrates the difficulty that we have grasping the joy of Heaven in this way. "Let’s imagine that I tell my four-year-old son,
“Andrew, when you grow up, if you get married, your honeymoon will be one of the most delightful and wonderful times of your life.”
He says, “Oh, you mean I can take my toy dinosaurs along?”
“Uh, no . . . you probably won’t want to. But you'll still have a fantastic time.”
“Well, can Jeffrey from next door come along on my honeymoon?”
“No, sorry,” I tell him.
“I don’t know if I want to go on a honeymoon, Daddy. It doesn't sound like any fun.”
“Trust me, Andrew: you will enjoy it, even though you can’t understand it right now.”
Heaven will give us incredible joy—but at a higher, richer level than we've ever experienced. It’s natural not to understand it all now." Discipleship Journal : Issue 57. 1999
The Bible only sketches the outlines of what Heaven is like for that very reason! Even if the Lord tried to explain it all to us, we just wouldn't get it. The writers of Scripture use the images and language available in their attempts to describe what God was showing them about things that defy description. So you have Isaiah, Zechariah, and John telling us about amazing creatures that circle a Throne, about smoke, and seas of glass. We must not doubt their word, but we are wise to understand that they are using earthly language to tell us about a completely unearthly place! Thus, we must not force the metaphors too literally. If we do, we may miss the true wonder of what God has planned for our eternal home.
What do we know about Heaven that brings us hope and keeps us on track while we wait to go there?
God is there! "Uh, Jerry, how about something I don't know." I mean it! The God we've loved from a distance, Whose purposes and plans sometimes confuse us, Who actions are beyond our figuring out, will be our Friend, will be accessible, and we will worship Him face to face. John attempts to show us the wonder of that moment and says, "Look, God’s home is now among his people! He will live with them, and they will be his people. God himself will be with them. He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." (Revelation 21:3-4, NLT)
The beauty of it is beyond imagination. John talks about dazzling splendor, streets of gold, and pearly gates! Once again, he's using the language available to try to tell us about things for which there are no words. What I do know is that God is the Builder, the Architect, of the place where I will spend eternity. I can see what He's made here on Earth, a place ultimately destined for destruction, a temporary home - so I can only try imagine what He's done with the forever home He's prepared for His people.
All things are made new- no rust, no death, no sin! "And the one sitting on the throne said, "Look, I am making everything new!" (Revelation 21:5, NLT) If you know me, you are aware that I like automobiles. Mine always shines and I take pleasure (too much perhaps) when I get a new one. The one I drove off the lot last year is already showing the signs of use. There's a crack in the front bumper where a chunk of ice hit it last Winter. There are scratches in the paint from stones in the road. The carpet has become soiled despite my efforts to keep it clean. That's just life! Everything we know is subject to decay and all living things ultimately die. But, in Heaven, it's different. How? I don't know, but God promises all things new and no decay! Jesus urges us to "Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy..." (Matthew 6:20, NLT)
Joy will be complete! Life's happiest moments are always tinged with sadness here on earth, aren't they? I so enjoyed my grandsons visit for the last two weeks. When they snuggled up close with me, when we shared lunch at Hotdog Johnnie's, when they played in the yard and I listened to their little voices full of delight at bugs and beetles - it was great, a wonderful feeling. But, I knew that they would grow up in a few years and Grandpa would be the old guy they saw at Christmas, more and more remote from their lives. Heaven knows nothing of that kind of thing. There only joy reigns. There no ends are anticipated, no sorrow invades, no disappointment lurks in the shadows.
So, what about that opening line about dogs in Heaven? It was just there to get your attention! I don't know -- and in light of the glories I do know about -- I'm quite content to wait and see what God has planned about that little detail.
Are you prepared for Heaven? The only way to know, for sure, is to receive Christ Jesus as Lord and Savior today! If He is that to you, then this is your promise: "Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the creation of the world." (Matthew 25:34, NLT) Believer, do not lose sight of Heaven. The promise keeps us on track when the Enemy tempts us with sin. Heaven;'s promise gives us hope when life's challenges rise up and seem ready to crush us. And, Heaven is our inheritance.
_______________________________
Sing the wondrous love of Jesus,
Sing His mercy and His grace;
In the mansions bright and blessed,
He'll prepare for us a place.
When we all get to heaven,
What a day of rejoicing that will be!
When we all see Jesus,
We'll sing and shout the victory.
Onward to the prize before us!
Soon His beauty we'll behold;
Soon the pearly gates will open,
We shall tread the streets of gold.
When We All Get to Heaven© Public Domain CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Whom to serve?
"So, when do you get to do your thing?" The thought entered my head like a jet arriving on a runway. Whoosh! There it was. Before I could muster my defenses, self-pity started to chew away at me. "Why do you have to be responsible when so many others are not? Why do you have to take care of things for everybody else? Who takes care of you? When do you start to count?" It was an ugly moment. You agree, I hope! Many would not agree with that assessment about those kinds of thoughts. Americans are schooled in self-expression from their infancy because we are convinced that the best life is the one that allows us the most freedom to do what we want to do.
The evidence of our self-love is everywhere. The government is going broke trying to meet our demands that we are cared for from cradle to grave - at the expense of everyone else. Agencies that depend on volunteers to carry out their mission - churches, fire companies, Scouts, etc. - are in crisis as more and more people insist that they have no time to serve. A million or more pregnancies are terminated every year with so-called 'convenience' abortions because a two people who wanted to do what felt good will not recognize the responsibility for the life their actions created. A best-selling 'Christian' book in 2006 carried the revealing title - "Your Best Life Now" which includes advice about gaining positive self-image and choosing what makes you happy.
Jesus Christ's wisdom runs against this current. He is not anti-happiness, but He does insist that the deepest sense of joy is not found in doing our own thing. He says, "When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:10-14, NLT) Go back and read His words again - slowly - and note two choices He tells us to make to find real joy. Yes, they are obedience and loving service! "Give your life away to the point of dying for one another," He says.
Obedience demands deep faith. Saying "yes" to God's will, when everything in us is screaming for unfettered freedom, is hard- sometimes so hard it feels like dying. More than once, I have knelt in secret prayer and cried like a little boy before my Lord. "Jesus, I don't want to do that. You're asking too much. It just doesn't make sense." And I know He understands that prayer because He prayed one that was more eloquent, but which reflected a similar though much more significant conflict. In the Garden, when facing the awful calling of becoming sin for us, bearing our shame and guilt, He cried, "My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want." (Matthew 26:39, CEV) And the Scripture tells us that His obedience brought us salvation and "God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11, NLT)
Today and everyday you and I are presented with two roads, Believer. We can choose our own way - and find some level of happiness in the temporary satisfaction of the demands of Self. But Self has a big appetite that grows when we feed it! It will never be satisfied. We can, by faith and in love, choose the way of the Cross, dying to Self, and embracing the life of Christ. That isn't always expressed in some earthshaking manner. But it always puts God's will over our own. This way is, despite the Devil's whispers and objections, the way to lasting joy and the embrace of the Father.
Pray for faith to accept this word from the Word and take it with you through this day -
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:24-28, NIV)
The evidence of our self-love is everywhere. The government is going broke trying to meet our demands that we are cared for from cradle to grave - at the expense of everyone else. Agencies that depend on volunteers to carry out their mission - churches, fire companies, Scouts, etc. - are in crisis as more and more people insist that they have no time to serve. A million or more pregnancies are terminated every year with so-called 'convenience' abortions because a two people who wanted to do what felt good will not recognize the responsibility for the life their actions created. A best-selling 'Christian' book in 2006 carried the revealing title - "Your Best Life Now" which includes advice about gaining positive self-image and choosing what makes you happy.
Jesus Christ's wisdom runs against this current. He is not anti-happiness, but He does insist that the deepest sense of joy is not found in doing our own thing. He says, "When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends." (John 15:10-14, NLT) Go back and read His words again - slowly - and note two choices He tells us to make to find real joy. Yes, they are obedience and loving service! "Give your life away to the point of dying for one another," He says.
Obedience demands deep faith. Saying "yes" to God's will, when everything in us is screaming for unfettered freedom, is hard- sometimes so hard it feels like dying. More than once, I have knelt in secret prayer and cried like a little boy before my Lord. "Jesus, I don't want to do that. You're asking too much. It just doesn't make sense." And I know He understands that prayer because He prayed one that was more eloquent, but which reflected a similar though much more significant conflict. In the Garden, when facing the awful calling of becoming sin for us, bearing our shame and guilt, He cried, "My Father, if it is possible, don’t make me suffer by having me drink from this cup. But do what you want, and not what I want." (Matthew 26:39, CEV) And the Scripture tells us that His obedience brought us salvation and "God elevated him to the place of highest honor and gave him the name above all other names, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11, NLT)
Today and everyday you and I are presented with two roads, Believer. We can choose our own way - and find some level of happiness in the temporary satisfaction of the demands of Self. But Self has a big appetite that grows when we feed it! It will never be satisfied. We can, by faith and in love, choose the way of the Cross, dying to Self, and embracing the life of Christ. That isn't always expressed in some earthshaking manner. But it always puts God's will over our own. This way is, despite the Devil's whispers and objections, the way to lasting joy and the embrace of the Father.
Pray for faith to accept this word from the Word and take it with you through this day -
"You know that the rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be your slave— just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Matthew 20:24-28, NIV)
Monday, July 16, 2007
Keep it real!
On NBC's Dateline last night, the story of a man who had one time served a congregation in youth ministry was reported. While he was in ministry, and already a married man, he became infatuated with a girl in his youth group, then convinced her to 'marry' him, as his 'second' wife, moving him with him and his first wife. He twisted Bible passages to convince both women that his polygamous desires were "God's will!" Several years later he murdered the second wife, who was, by then, the mother of two of his children. He then horribly mutilated her body to hide her identity and buried her in an obscure grave in the Arizona desert. On the stand at his trial he tried to wrap himself in religion, with assertions that he had 'given his heart to Jesus' at the tender age of 6. Did Sean Goff ever truly know the Lord? Perhaps, only God knows for certain. Did something go terribly wrong in his life? Of that I can be quite certain, and know it happened on many levels! His integrity, his accountability to his church, his submission to the Word of God; yes, even his intimate walk with Jesus Christ (assuming he had one in the first place) were gone by the time he became the murderer of a woman he once claimed to love. Even in a post-conviction interview, he was hiding himself in Christian language, seemingly without genuine repentance before God or man.
That's a shocking illustration of a sin committed everyday by millions of people who claim a relationship with the Lord - the decision to hide their own decisions or desires, even the sinful ones, inside of righteous rhetoric. For example, some Believers when asked to serve their church in some area, will say, "I'll pray about it," knowing full well they have no intention of accepting the responsibility, but not wanting to say, "No, I'm not going to do that." Or when approached by another Believer who is in need they claim to need time to pray about the request, but in fact simply what to avoid getting involved. Another example is the person who has made up his own mind to take a new job or move to another church who responsibility for his choices by saying, "It is the will of God for me to do...."
Of course, we should pray about everything including service in the church and requests for help. Yes, too, we should be actively seeking to know God's will. But, never, should we use religion to give us an excuse to do what we want to do. Among the Ten Commandments, there is this one - "Thou shall not take the Lord's name in vain." Another translation reads, "You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name." (Exodus 20:7, NLT) Much more is declared as unholy than cussing when you're angry! God does not want to be the excuse for my choices nor for yours. He does not want a veneer of holy talk pasted over our self-will.
Jesus Christ urges us to be people who keep it real- all the time. "Let your yes, mean yes; and let your your no, mean no," He says. Don't doubletalk. Don't be slick. Don't use words to create impressions in others that are false. He goes on to say, "When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." (Matthew 5:37, The Message) I would venture to guess that Sean Goff, convicted murderer, started shading the truth and hiding behind religious language a long time ago, on issues that were just the little things in life. The duplicity that allowed him to kill a woman and then to lie to everyone around him for months may well have grown from the seeds of so-called 'white lies,' becoming a habit and eventually weaving such a web of deception that he has become a deluded man who believes his own tales and claims of superior spirituality despite his gross sin.
Double talk can become a habit, but so can total honesty. It is refreshing to hear a person admit to his own desires, even those that are less than holy, and then to ask for help in discovering the mind of the Lord. When we find ourselves tempted to misuse our power of speech especially by wrapping ourselves in Christian rhetoric, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us face the truth, first in ourselves. God knows us - our motives, and our inner thoughts- better than we know ourselves! And, He loves us- the good, bad, the beautiful, the ugly. If we are honest before Him, if we make a habit of using plain speech, even in prayer, the Spirit will become our Counselor, helping us to be changed, and keeping us from the wiles of the Deceiver who desires our total destruction. How sweet is the peace of the man whose words are true, who has banished the shadows from his life by becoming transparent before God and others.
Here's a word from the Word, a promise to take with you today as you commit yourself both to God and others to keeping it real:
"But if we live in the light, as God does,
we share in life with each other.
And the blood of his Son Jesus washes all our sins away.
If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves,
and the truth isn’t in our hearts.
But if we confess our sins to God,
He can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar,
and his message isn’t in our hearts.
My children, I am writing this so that you won’t sin.
But if you do sin, Jesus Christ always does the right thing,
and he will speak to the Father for us." (1 John 1:7-2:1, CEV)
That's a shocking illustration of a sin committed everyday by millions of people who claim a relationship with the Lord - the decision to hide their own decisions or desires, even the sinful ones, inside of righteous rhetoric. For example, some Believers when asked to serve their church in some area, will say, "I'll pray about it," knowing full well they have no intention of accepting the responsibility, but not wanting to say, "No, I'm not going to do that." Or when approached by another Believer who is in need they claim to need time to pray about the request, but in fact simply what to avoid getting involved. Another example is the person who has made up his own mind to take a new job or move to another church who responsibility for his choices by saying, "It is the will of God for me to do...."
Of course, we should pray about everything including service in the church and requests for help. Yes, too, we should be actively seeking to know God's will. But, never, should we use religion to give us an excuse to do what we want to do. Among the Ten Commandments, there is this one - "Thou shall not take the Lord's name in vain." Another translation reads, "You must not misuse the name of the Lord your God. The Lord will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name." (Exodus 20:7, NLT) Much more is declared as unholy than cussing when you're angry! God does not want to be the excuse for my choices nor for yours. He does not want a veneer of holy talk pasted over our self-will.
Jesus Christ urges us to be people who keep it real- all the time. "Let your yes, mean yes; and let your your no, mean no," He says. Don't doubletalk. Don't be slick. Don't use words to create impressions in others that are false. He goes on to say, "When you manipulate words to get your own way, you go wrong." (Matthew 5:37, The Message) I would venture to guess that Sean Goff, convicted murderer, started shading the truth and hiding behind religious language a long time ago, on issues that were just the little things in life. The duplicity that allowed him to kill a woman and then to lie to everyone around him for months may well have grown from the seeds of so-called 'white lies,' becoming a habit and eventually weaving such a web of deception that he has become a deluded man who believes his own tales and claims of superior spirituality despite his gross sin.
Double talk can become a habit, but so can total honesty. It is refreshing to hear a person admit to his own desires, even those that are less than holy, and then to ask for help in discovering the mind of the Lord. When we find ourselves tempted to misuse our power of speech especially by wrapping ourselves in Christian rhetoric, we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us face the truth, first in ourselves. God knows us - our motives, and our inner thoughts- better than we know ourselves! And, He loves us- the good, bad, the beautiful, the ugly. If we are honest before Him, if we make a habit of using plain speech, even in prayer, the Spirit will become our Counselor, helping us to be changed, and keeping us from the wiles of the Deceiver who desires our total destruction. How sweet is the peace of the man whose words are true, who has banished the shadows from his life by becoming transparent before God and others.
Here's a word from the Word, a promise to take with you today as you commit yourself both to God and others to keeping it real:
"But if we live in the light, as God does,
we share in life with each other.
And the blood of his Son Jesus washes all our sins away.
If we say that we have not sinned, we are fooling ourselves,
and the truth isn’t in our hearts.
But if we confess our sins to God,
He can always be trusted to forgive us and take our sins away.
If we say that we have not sinned, we make God a liar,
and his message isn’t in our hearts.
My children, I am writing this so that you won’t sin.
But if you do sin, Jesus Christ always does the right thing,
and he will speak to the Father for us." (1 John 1:7-2:1, CEV)
Thursday, July 12, 2007
Letter from a Dungeon
If you've even been tempted by discouragement or felt like your efforts were all for nothing, this TFTD is for you! Paul's second letter written to his 'son in the faith,' Timothy, was penned when he was older, near the end of his life, while he was a prisoner of Rome for his work in the service of Jesus Christ. The overall tone is one of deep sorrow, but not defeat. After all he had done in the service of the Lord, he was in the worst prison in Rome - these jails were underground cells of cramped, miserable conditions. In addition to his physical misery, he was abandoned by many of his friends who were even embarrassed to mention his name. It is hard to begin to imagine the kinds of temptations that the evil one hurled at the old preacher in the middle of the night. "You wasted your life!" "Nobody cares what you sacrificed. They're ashamed of you." "This is how God treats those who serve Him? You expect others to serve Him, too?" If you think I'm wide of the mark, read between the lines of his letter. He is not only talking to Timothy, he's encouraging himself in the Lord.
He writes: "You’ve been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings—suffering along with me in all the grief I had to put up ... Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse. But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed...." (2 Timothy 3:10-14, The Message)
May I loosely paraphrase it? "Hey, Tim - brace yourself. Things often go from bad to worse because evil is real and in constant opposition to good and God!" That's not exactly what we like to hear, is it? We want promises of better tomorrow's and blue skies. We want guarantees that the good guys finish out front, that good triumphs over evil -- but, in this world, on this side of eternity, that's simply not always what happens. This world is sold into the slavery of disobedience to God. Lies sell much more easily than the Truth. Slick talkers who do not concern themselves with the well-being of those that they teach will almost always gain larger audiences than those who cry out for steady, faithful, God-centered living. Those willing to exercise the greatest brutality often end up in charge - for a while, anyway. It was that kind of world that Paul worked in, tirelessly proclaiming the love of God, the possibility of becoming a saint, a light in the vast darkness. And, there in the dungeon, it appeared that evil had won!
Don't get the wrong idea. Paul wasn't giving up, nor was he admitting defeat! He was just being honest, brutally so, about the high price of resisting evil with the Good News of Christ. He had always proclaimed the Resurrection and set his hope ultimately in eternity. Remember he once wrote - "If only for this life we have hope, we are of all men most miserable.... but Christ has risen from the dead." In other words, it isn't over when they put the lid on our coffin! Now, weeks before the Romans would kill him, Paul writes to his son in the Lord:
"I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple. You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.
But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant. You take over.
I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. 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 not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming. " (2 Timothy 4:1-8, The Message)
Wow! That's quite a finish, isn't it? Yes, Demas had run off, abandoning his faith for love of the world. Everyone he counted on had left him to stand alone before the courts. Some man named, Alexander, the metalworker, and what he had done to Paul is now lost to history. Perhaps this man had been the source of trumped up charges that landed Paul in prison. But the preacher marks as a "man who did me much harm. May the Lord repay him!" But, the old man was not ashamed, afraid, or in despair. He was confident that at the end of this race, there was a Judge whose reward would more than compensate him for all he had invested in the Kingdom of God.
I don't think I'm writing to anybody in a literal dungeon, but I'm sure some of you are tired, maybe even beat up by life. Perhaps in your life, too, the bad guys appear to be ahead and the demons are whispering - "just quit being a fool and take what's coming to you." Keep your eyes on that Heavenly finish line, Believer. And you, too, will be able to claim the assurance that Paul flung in the face of his accuser's, detractors, and even the demons of Hell - "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 not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming. "
______________
Lord, I whine far too often about the inconveniences of my life.
Forgive me.
I tend to think of discomfort as though it were real pain.
I look for smooth roads, quick fixes, and approval from the world around me.
Take me deeper in You! Lead to a commitment to the Truth,
to be so much in love with You, that inconvenience, discomfort, and yes -
even true suffering becomes as nothing compared with knowing You.
Let me be full of the beauty and character of Jesus -
as much in the tough times as when every thing is flowing my way.
And, Lord, steady me with the promise of Eternal Life
that awaits when the battle is over.
In Jesus' name I pray this... and for the glory of God.
Amen.
He writes: "You’ve been a good apprentice to me, a part of my teaching, my manner of life, direction, faith, steadiness, love, patience, troubles, sufferings—suffering along with me in all the grief I had to put up ... Anyone who wants to live all out for Christ is in for a lot of trouble; there’s no getting around it. Unscrupulous con men will continue to exploit the faith. They’re as deceived as the people they lead astray. As long as they are out there, things can only get worse. But don’t let it faze you. Stick with what you learned and believed...." (2 Timothy 3:10-14, The Message)
May I loosely paraphrase it? "Hey, Tim - brace yourself. Things often go from bad to worse because evil is real and in constant opposition to good and God!" That's not exactly what we like to hear, is it? We want promises of better tomorrow's and blue skies. We want guarantees that the good guys finish out front, that good triumphs over evil -- but, in this world, on this side of eternity, that's simply not always what happens. This world is sold into the slavery of disobedience to God. Lies sell much more easily than the Truth. Slick talkers who do not concern themselves with the well-being of those that they teach will almost always gain larger audiences than those who cry out for steady, faithful, God-centered living. Those willing to exercise the greatest brutality often end up in charge - for a while, anyway. It was that kind of world that Paul worked in, tirelessly proclaiming the love of God, the possibility of becoming a saint, a light in the vast darkness. And, there in the dungeon, it appeared that evil had won!
Don't get the wrong idea. Paul wasn't giving up, nor was he admitting defeat! He was just being honest, brutally so, about the high price of resisting evil with the Good News of Christ. He had always proclaimed the Resurrection and set his hope ultimately in eternity. Remember he once wrote - "If only for this life we have hope, we are of all men most miserable.... but Christ has risen from the dead." In other words, it isn't over when they put the lid on our coffin! Now, weeks before the Romans would kill him, Paul writes to his son in the Lord:
"I can’t impress this on you too strongly. God is looking over your shoulder. Christ himself is the Judge, with the final say on everyone, living and dead. He is about to break into the open with his rule, so proclaim the Message with intensity; keep on your watch. Challenge, warn, and urge your people. Don’t ever quit. Just keep it simple. You’re going to find that there will be times when people will have no stomach for solid teaching, but will fill up on spiritual junk food—catchy opinions that tickle their fancy. They’ll turn their backs on truth and chase mirages.
But you—keep your eye on what you’re doing; accept the hard times along with the good; keep the Message alive; do a thorough job as God’s servant. You take over.
I’m about to die, my life an offering on God’s altar. 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 not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming. " (2 Timothy 4:1-8, The Message)
Wow! That's quite a finish, isn't it? Yes, Demas had run off, abandoning his faith for love of the world. Everyone he counted on had left him to stand alone before the courts. Some man named, Alexander, the metalworker, and what he had done to Paul is now lost to history. Perhaps this man had been the source of trumped up charges that landed Paul in prison. But the preacher marks as a "man who did me much harm. May the Lord repay him!" But, the old man was not ashamed, afraid, or in despair. He was confident that at the end of this race, there was a Judge whose reward would more than compensate him for all he had invested in the Kingdom of God.
I don't think I'm writing to anybody in a literal dungeon, but I'm sure some of you are tired, maybe even beat up by life. Perhaps in your life, too, the bad guys appear to be ahead and the demons are whispering - "just quit being a fool and take what's coming to you." Keep your eyes on that Heavenly finish line, Believer. And you, too, will be able to claim the assurance that Paul flung in the face of his accuser's, detractors, and even the demons of Hell - "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 not only by me, but by everyone eager for his coming. "
______________
Lord, I whine far too often about the inconveniences of my life.
Forgive me.
I tend to think of discomfort as though it were real pain.
I look for smooth roads, quick fixes, and approval from the world around me.
Take me deeper in You! Lead to a commitment to the Truth,
to be so much in love with You, that inconvenience, discomfort, and yes -
even true suffering becomes as nothing compared with knowing You.
Let me be full of the beauty and character of Jesus -
as much in the tough times as when every thing is flowing my way.
And, Lord, steady me with the promise of Eternal Life
that awaits when the battle is over.
In Jesus' name I pray this... and for the glory of God.
Amen.
Wednesday, July 11, 2007
Why does our church do that, anyway?
For all of my life, I have been part of a Christian church. One of the foundational facts, the assumed goal in church and ministry, was that we should 'grow it bigger!'
I think the 11th commandment is -- Thou shalt grow bigger churches.
Got Sunday School? Then you need more kids in it, so bring on the buses every Sunday morning. (Sunday School busing was the way to grow your church in the 1980's.)
Got youth group? Then find a way to get lots of kids in the room. Lots of kids equals 'successful youth program.'
Got a church building? It must be bigger, so find ways to pack more people through the doors, then trumpet the numbers - 500 in attendance on Easter Sunday! Pay no mind that it was a circus that brought them in. Everybody will get really excited. Offering will go up. Staff will be hired, buildings will be constructed... but to what purpose? That is the troubling question that is not asked often enough.
We could reframe that question this way - 'why are we trying to be bigger?'
Supposedly, I was taught that we were 'bringing people to Christ,' or 'saving the lost,' but was that actually happening?
Few will argue with the statement that as churches grew larger; actual percentages of deeply devout followers of Jesus seemed to decline! In 2007, evangelical Christianity claims about 30-40% of Americans, but there is no apparent surfeit of spiritual fruit in our land that would be correspondent to that many devout Christ-followers in a society. Published statistics show that Evangelical Christians are just as materialistic, break up their marriages in divorce, and cheat on their taxes - at the same rates as the rest of Americans. I do not know exactly why that surprises anyone. Getting more people through the doors of our churches requires that we smooth off the rough edges, make the message less challenging, and 'become relevant!' Marketing is king. That's how McDonald's got huge. Mickey D's does not serve gourmet foods that appeals to a few culinary aficionados. It serves cheeseburgers and fries that lots of people like and can afford. Many churches try to grow by becoming religious McDonald's - serving up bland sermons, music that sounds like a pop radio station, in services that are organized to move like a TV show - offering spiritual comfort 'food,' in place of sound spiritual nourishment.
I think it's time to to be focused on relentlessly is what Jesus actually commissioned us to be doing- "go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, NLT) Of course that means we have to take the lead in that direction - obedience, I mean. "Christianity Lite" which requires little of us, that thrives on being 'at home' in the culture, needs to be replaced with a passion to become radical followers of our Lord who study His words with the intent of becoming like Him in the world. I'll be completely honest with you. I do not even really know what that last sentence might mean for me, or for you, in terms of day to day living.
What I do know is that His words are so radically opposed to what most of us consider 'normal,' that if we got serious about knowing and doing them- it will turn our lives upside down! By way of illustration, think about a couple of Jesus' statements.
Exactly how does a 21st century American person apply words like "Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:20, NLT) "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24, NLT) Can we even begin to understand that as we leave in a consumer culture?
Or what do we do with this? "You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." (Matthew 5:27-29, NLT) I walked past Victoria's Secret in the mall recently. Seen those larger than life pictures of seductively posed models they hang in the windows? How do we implement sexual purity and wholeness in a culture that thinks about having sex with only slightly more significance than having a cup of coffee?
Churches who are trying just to be 'bigger' never ask those kinds of questions. They're too 'controversial!' They make people uncomfortable and when they get uncomfortable, they go somewhere else, taking their resources with them! So much for constructing bigger buildings, winning denominational awards, or being featured on NBC's "Dateline" as the fastest growing church in America. I'm not voting for closing our doors to anyone. Let's preach with fervor, share our whole heart with those who want to be loved, and serve everybody with the love of Jesus - and leave the 'big-ness' up to Him.
Here's what I know from the Bible.
Jesus made a lot of people who were trying to just appear respectable, very angry with His demand for transformation that went heart deep. He made a lot of people who were on the margins of society very happy for He showed them the way to recover their relationship with their Father, and thus to find life with meaning, full of joy, and with great hope. I want to be the kind of Christian who follows Him, even if it makes some people hate me. No, of course, I do not want to be a fool who just offends others in a mistaken attempt to prove my own godliness. With the help of the Spirit, I want to love radically, give totally, and wrestle with His words and how they instruct my life. If that makes me a minority in my world, so be it. I think real disciples always will be a minority, for I have it on most excellent authority. Our Master said, "You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NLT)
I think the 11th commandment is -- Thou shalt grow bigger churches.
Got Sunday School? Then you need more kids in it, so bring on the buses every Sunday morning. (Sunday School busing was the way to grow your church in the 1980's.)
Got youth group? Then find a way to get lots of kids in the room. Lots of kids equals 'successful youth program.'
Got a church building? It must be bigger, so find ways to pack more people through the doors, then trumpet the numbers - 500 in attendance on Easter Sunday! Pay no mind that it was a circus that brought them in. Everybody will get really excited. Offering will go up. Staff will be hired, buildings will be constructed... but to what purpose? That is the troubling question that is not asked often enough.
We could reframe that question this way - 'why are we trying to be bigger?'
Supposedly, I was taught that we were 'bringing people to Christ,' or 'saving the lost,' but was that actually happening?
Few will argue with the statement that as churches grew larger; actual percentages of deeply devout followers of Jesus seemed to decline! In 2007, evangelical Christianity claims about 30-40% of Americans, but there is no apparent surfeit of spiritual fruit in our land that would be correspondent to that many devout Christ-followers in a society. Published statistics show that Evangelical Christians are just as materialistic, break up their marriages in divorce, and cheat on their taxes - at the same rates as the rest of Americans. I do not know exactly why that surprises anyone. Getting more people through the doors of our churches requires that we smooth off the rough edges, make the message less challenging, and 'become relevant!' Marketing is king. That's how McDonald's got huge. Mickey D's does not serve gourmet foods that appeals to a few culinary aficionados. It serves cheeseburgers and fries that lots of people like and can afford. Many churches try to grow by becoming religious McDonald's - serving up bland sermons, music that sounds like a pop radio station, in services that are organized to move like a TV show - offering spiritual comfort 'food,' in place of sound spiritual nourishment.
I think it's time to to be focused on relentlessly is what Jesus actually commissioned us to be doing- "go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, NLT) Of course that means we have to take the lead in that direction - obedience, I mean. "Christianity Lite" which requires little of us, that thrives on being 'at home' in the culture, needs to be replaced with a passion to become radical followers of our Lord who study His words with the intent of becoming like Him in the world. I'll be completely honest with you. I do not even really know what that last sentence might mean for me, or for you, in terms of day to day living.
What I do know is that His words are so radically opposed to what most of us consider 'normal,' that if we got serious about knowing and doing them- it will turn our lives upside down! By way of illustration, think about a couple of Jesus' statements.
Exactly how does a 21st century American person apply words like "Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal." (Matthew 6:20, NLT) "No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money." (Matthew 6:24, NLT) Can we even begin to understand that as we leave in a consumer culture?
Or what do we do with this? "You have heard the commandment that says, ‘You must not commit adultery.’ But I say, anyone who even looks at a woman with lust has already committed adultery with her in his heart. So if your eye—even your good eye—causes you to lust, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell." (Matthew 5:27-29, NLT) I walked past Victoria's Secret in the mall recently. Seen those larger than life pictures of seductively posed models they hang in the windows? How do we implement sexual purity and wholeness in a culture that thinks about having sex with only slightly more significance than having a cup of coffee?
Churches who are trying just to be 'bigger' never ask those kinds of questions. They're too 'controversial!' They make people uncomfortable and when they get uncomfortable, they go somewhere else, taking their resources with them! So much for constructing bigger buildings, winning denominational awards, or being featured on NBC's "Dateline" as the fastest growing church in America. I'm not voting for closing our doors to anyone. Let's preach with fervor, share our whole heart with those who want to be loved, and serve everybody with the love of Jesus - and leave the 'big-ness' up to Him.
Here's what I know from the Bible.
Jesus made a lot of people who were trying to just appear respectable, very angry with His demand for transformation that went heart deep. He made a lot of people who were on the margins of society very happy for He showed them the way to recover their relationship with their Father, and thus to find life with meaning, full of joy, and with great hope. I want to be the kind of Christian who follows Him, even if it makes some people hate me. No, of course, I do not want to be a fool who just offends others in a mistaken attempt to prove my own godliness. With the help of the Spirit, I want to love radically, give totally, and wrestle with His words and how they instruct my life. If that makes me a minority in my world, so be it. I think real disciples always will be a minority, for I have it on most excellent authority. Our Master said, "You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NLT)
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Is your heart in good shape?
I was checking my blood pressure with a little automated wrist cuff that I keep at home. My grandson asked, "What does that do Grandpa?" I explained it helped me to know if my heart was healthy. He asked if I could put the cuff on him, so I did, on his upper arm which is smaller than my wrist. As it pressurized, he said, "I hope that it shows my heart is really lovable!" He is five so his concept of heart health is about the kind of person one is, about being loving, not about blood pressure and pulse rates. I think Gavin is on to something in this! True health is deeper than physical statistics. What shape is your heart in, Believer?
Would it make any difference if we could put on a monitor that would indicate when our faith is in need of strengthening, or that our hope is lagging behind the norms, or that love is at a low state? The truth is that there is such a monitor! Jesus Christ tells us that ". . . whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart." (Matthew 12:34-35, NLT) "What you say flows from what is in your heart." (Luke 6:45, NLT) Just listen to your daily conversation. A heart sick with sin will be shown by the words of lust, or greed, or hatred that spill out of us. A healthy heart will show in consistent words of faith, hope, and love.
Recently I was reading an article written by a physician who was lamenting the pill mentality that he claims has replaced good medicine in America, a mis-focus that is costing us $billions unnecessarily. So many of our ills would be better treated with holistic methods that involve our lifestyles. He claimed that the majority of our illnesses, particularly those of aging, would have much less impact if we ate more balanced diets with significantly lower amounts of fats and refined sugars that included more vegetables and less meat. He urged regular daily exercise to keep weight under control. Instead of spending $thousands on medicines, he claimed that most of us could change the quality of our lives with common sense adjustments to our way of life. But instead, we want indulge ourselves and then pop a pill to 'fix' the resulting malfunction.
Spiritual heart health is much the same. We grow strong in the ways of God and enjoy a depth of spiritual qualities (loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled- Galatians 5:22-23, CEV) not with some instant fix or a quick encounter with a miracle. We become healthy Believers by integrating the truth of Scripture into our minds, daily; by exercising our souls with obedience, in the little choices of each day; by trusting God for our daily bread, committing ourselves to Him. The Divine Heart Surgeon promises these results - "I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. . . . You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God! " (Ezekiel 36:26-28, The Message)
I want to be a disciple of Jesus is beautiful from the inside out, don't you? I don't want to just 'look good.' I want to 'be good,' - so help me God! I want His grace to go heart deep.
_________________
Friend, how would you feel
If your heart were made
With a window on each side?
So that all could see
Not just outward charm,
But detect if inward harm.
Jesus really knows you
For He sees inside.
How about your heart,
Is it right with God?
That's the thing that
Counts today, today.
How About Your Heart
© 1954 Renewed 1982 Gospel Quartet Music Company, Inc.
(Admin. by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.) CCLI License No. 810055
Would it make any difference if we could put on a monitor that would indicate when our faith is in need of strengthening, or that our hope is lagging behind the norms, or that love is at a low state? The truth is that there is such a monitor! Jesus Christ tells us that ". . . whatever is in your heart determines what you say. A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart." (Matthew 12:34-35, NLT) "What you say flows from what is in your heart." (Luke 6:45, NLT) Just listen to your daily conversation. A heart sick with sin will be shown by the words of lust, or greed, or hatred that spill out of us. A healthy heart will show in consistent words of faith, hope, and love.
Recently I was reading an article written by a physician who was lamenting the pill mentality that he claims has replaced good medicine in America, a mis-focus that is costing us $billions unnecessarily. So many of our ills would be better treated with holistic methods that involve our lifestyles. He claimed that the majority of our illnesses, particularly those of aging, would have much less impact if we ate more balanced diets with significantly lower amounts of fats and refined sugars that included more vegetables and less meat. He urged regular daily exercise to keep weight under control. Instead of spending $thousands on medicines, he claimed that most of us could change the quality of our lives with common sense adjustments to our way of life. But instead, we want indulge ourselves and then pop a pill to 'fix' the resulting malfunction.
Spiritual heart health is much the same. We grow strong in the ways of God and enjoy a depth of spiritual qualities (loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled- Galatians 5:22-23, CEV) not with some instant fix or a quick encounter with a miracle. We become healthy Believers by integrating the truth of Scripture into our minds, daily; by exercising our souls with obedience, in the little choices of each day; by trusting God for our daily bread, committing ourselves to Him. The Divine Heart Surgeon promises these results - "I’ll give you a new heart, put a new spirit in you. I’ll remove the stone heart from your body and replace it with a heart that’s God-willed, not self-willed. I’ll put my Spirit in you and make it possible for you to do what I tell you and live by my commands. . . . You’ll be my people! I’ll be your God! " (Ezekiel 36:26-28, The Message)
I want to be a disciple of Jesus is beautiful from the inside out, don't you? I don't want to just 'look good.' I want to 'be good,' - so help me God! I want His grace to go heart deep.
_________________
Friend, how would you feel
If your heart were made
With a window on each side?
So that all could see
Not just outward charm,
But detect if inward harm.
Jesus really knows you
For He sees inside.
How about your heart,
Is it right with God?
That's the thing that
Counts today, today.
How About Your Heart
© 1954 Renewed 1982 Gospel Quartet Music Company, Inc.
(Admin. by Integrated Copyright Group, Inc.) CCLI License No. 810055
Monday, July 09, 2007
The geographic cure
A friend, a recovering alcoholic, introduced me to the phrase - "the geographic cure." He told me it was a familiar phrase at AA meetings. When a drunk has burned everybody in town and used up all his options, he starts to believe that the solution to his problem is a new town - somewhere, anywhere, else. When I heard the phrase I realized that many of us are afflicted with this deception- convinced that a new job, another church, a start on life in another state, a new lover; will bring us happiness. But here is the flaw in that line of thought - when you get there, you are still there! Unless we deal with ourselves, until we do the work of change, allowing God to transform our mind and our actions, we will just recreate the same set of difficulties at each stop along life's road.
An ancient prophet, Jonah, decided on the geographic cure! The little book that tells his story starts with these words. "The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD." (Jonah 1:1-3, NIV) Imagine thinking that you could outrun the Spirit of God, but Jonah did and so do many people to this day! The Bible does not tell us why he did not want to obey God's will. Perhaps it was common fear. Going to preach in Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire, was a terror-filled proposition. The Assyrians were a cruel and powerful people. They were conquering nations all over the region by killing anybody who stood in their way. Then, too, it might be that Jonah did not want to even create the possibility for the Assyrians to come to know God. It may well be that he wanted them to been destroyed by God's wrath!
Whatever his reasons, Jonah decided that he would go in the opposite direction, as far from Nineveh as possible. Perhaps he thought, "I can preach to the people of Tarshish just as well as the people of Nineveh. Their spiritual need is just as great." But God wanted him in Nineveh! The Lord pursued him onto the ocean, caught up with him in the belly of a great fish, and brought about a change of mind over a period of three days.
Are you tempted by the sin of Jonah?
Does the way God has led you fill you with fear or dread so that you desire to run for someplace new?
David, penned this song. "I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! ... If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me." (Psalm 139: 7, 9-10, NLT) For those who are pursuing God and His will, that is a wonderful promise. "The Lord will be with me - everywhere, all the time!" For those who are trying to run away, that is a terrible threat!
Choose obedience now. Let God minister to you. His power and presence are no more real or near anywhere in the world than right where you are, right now! Center yourself in God's will. Stop reading the travel brochures that paint all those pretty pictures of some other place, some new situation. Pray for God's grace to steady you, to develop you, right where you are. Let God's Word and Spirit transform you as you follow His lead, instead of thinking that the solution is to chase the mirage that lies on the horizon. If you're tempted to run away - just pray, "Lord, keep me from the sin of Jonah. Steady me, Lord."
Here's a word from the Word to ponder. It comes from a time soon after the Israelites had left Egypt in the Exodus. God had shown Himself mighty on their behalf and brought about their deliverance. Then as they camped in the desert, scouts saw the Egyptian army approaching on the horizon. They were afraid, tempted to scatter, but Moses gave them this counsel. Let it speak to your heart today.
"Do not be afraid.
Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.
For the Egyptians whom you see today,
you shall see again no more forever.
The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
(Exodus 14:13-14, NKJV)
_________________________
Stand still and see His glory;
Watch as His mysteries unfold.
Bask in the sweetness of pure Living Waters,
Refreshing, reviving the soul.
All hail His infinite wisdom!
None is so mighty as He.
Master, Creator of all things enduring,
None else is so precious to me.
Stand Still and See His Glory, D. Rambo © 1977 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) / CCLI License No. 810055
An ancient prophet, Jonah, decided on the geographic cure! The little book that tells his story starts with these words. "The word of the LORD came to Jonah son of Amittai: "Go to the great city of Nineveh and preach against it, because its wickedness has come up before me." But Jonah ran away from the LORD and headed for Tarshish. He went down to Joppa, where he found a ship bound for that port. After paying the fare, he went aboard and sailed for Tarshish to flee from the LORD." (Jonah 1:1-3, NIV) Imagine thinking that you could outrun the Spirit of God, but Jonah did and so do many people to this day! The Bible does not tell us why he did not want to obey God's will. Perhaps it was common fear. Going to preach in Nineveh, the capital of the Assyrian empire, was a terror-filled proposition. The Assyrians were a cruel and powerful people. They were conquering nations all over the region by killing anybody who stood in their way. Then, too, it might be that Jonah did not want to even create the possibility for the Assyrians to come to know God. It may well be that he wanted them to been destroyed by God's wrath!
Whatever his reasons, Jonah decided that he would go in the opposite direction, as far from Nineveh as possible. Perhaps he thought, "I can preach to the people of Tarshish just as well as the people of Nineveh. Their spiritual need is just as great." But God wanted him in Nineveh! The Lord pursued him onto the ocean, caught up with him in the belly of a great fish, and brought about a change of mind over a period of three days.
Are you tempted by the sin of Jonah?
Does the way God has led you fill you with fear or dread so that you desire to run for someplace new?
David, penned this song. "I can never escape from your Spirit! I can never get away from your presence! ... If I ride the wings of the morning, if I dwell by the farthest oceans, even there your hand will guide me, and your strength will support me." (Psalm 139: 7, 9-10, NLT) For those who are pursuing God and His will, that is a wonderful promise. "The Lord will be with me - everywhere, all the time!" For those who are trying to run away, that is a terrible threat!
Choose obedience now. Let God minister to you. His power and presence are no more real or near anywhere in the world than right where you are, right now! Center yourself in God's will. Stop reading the travel brochures that paint all those pretty pictures of some other place, some new situation. Pray for God's grace to steady you, to develop you, right where you are. Let God's Word and Spirit transform you as you follow His lead, instead of thinking that the solution is to chase the mirage that lies on the horizon. If you're tempted to run away - just pray, "Lord, keep me from the sin of Jonah. Steady me, Lord."
Here's a word from the Word to ponder. It comes from a time soon after the Israelites had left Egypt in the Exodus. God had shown Himself mighty on their behalf and brought about their deliverance. Then as they camped in the desert, scouts saw the Egyptian army approaching on the horizon. They were afraid, tempted to scatter, but Moses gave them this counsel. Let it speak to your heart today.
"Do not be afraid.
Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which He will accomplish for you today.
For the Egyptians whom you see today,
you shall see again no more forever.
The Lord will fight for you, and you shall hold your peace."
(Exodus 14:13-14, NKJV)
_________________________
Stand still and see His glory;
Watch as His mysteries unfold.
Bask in the sweetness of pure Living Waters,
Refreshing, reviving the soul.
All hail His infinite wisdom!
None is so mighty as He.
Master, Creator of all things enduring,
None else is so precious to me.
Stand Still and See His Glory, D. Rambo © 1977 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) / CCLI License No. 810055
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Creative or Critic?
Criticizing the efforts of another does not require a lot of intelligence. "Look at that mess...." "How dumb is that...." Skill and creativity bring solutions to problems and beauty to chaos. I wonder why criticism comes so easily to us? Everyone I know does it, some more than others, to be sure. At a picnic yesterday, I found myself engaged in an animated discussion about politics. Each of us has an opinion about taxes, the war, the candidates - don't we? Before long I realized that not many creative solutions were being offered up! Mostly we were just criticizing those who are charged with making decisions, but we were not offering solutions that even started to address all of the concerns involved.
Let's bring this discussion to where we live - our homes, our jobs, and our local church. Are you a creative participant or a critic on the sidelines?
You can criticize the way that your wife cares for your kids or you can join her in being an active parent.
You can join the gossip about your project manager, or you can build a team that gets the job done.
You can take on a ministry assignment at your church or you can just lament the failures of the pastor to adequately meet your needs.
In Exodus there a great lesson about this tucked into a story about Moses and his father-in-law. Fathers-in-law are notorious critics - except for my father-in-law - who always encourages me, really! Jethro (yes, that really is his name) went to see Moses and Zipporah, (yes, that is really her name!) his daughter, after the Israelite people had been delivered from Egyptian slavery. The emerging nation was still somewhat chaotic and Jethro noted the inefficient way in which Moses provided leadership for the people. Moses went out and sat to settle disputes. The lines of people who needed his decision stretched to the horizons! Jethro then made this observation. "What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?" ... This is not good!" (Exodus 18:13-17, NLT)
It did not require brilliance to see the problem and to realize that if this continued, there would be no nation in a very short time. But Jethro went beyond just criticizing. Next he said, "Let me tell you how to do this so that God will be in this with you. Be there for the people before God, but let the matters of concern be presented to God. Your job is to teach them the rules and instructions, to show them how to live, what to do. And then you need to keep a sharp eye out for competent men—men who fear God, men of integrity, men who are incorruptible—and appoint them as leaders over groups organized by the thousand, by the hundred, by fifty, and by ten." (Exodus 18:19-21, The Message)
Jethro's sage advice was provided at just the right moment. He took a risk in offering the advice because it could have provoked Moses, who might have said, "And who, old man, do you think you are? Did God call you to lead Israel?" However, Moses was a man of humility who listened and learned!
Often our criticism is unwarranted, based in something less than full knowledge. Even the godly and mature fall prey to making superficial judgments! Remember Samuel's search for a king for Israel? When he went to Jesse's house in Bethlehem at God's direction, he immediately judged the oldest, tallest son- the one who projected leadership and self-confidence- as the man for the job. But the Lord said, "Samuel, don’t think Eliab is the one just because he’s tall and handsome. He isn’t the one I’ve chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts." (1 Samuel 16:7, CEV) When you're ready to take aim and fire off critical words, may the Lord speak to you, too. Hold those words until you have thought it through, prayed over it, and gained insight. Then, you can become part of the solution rather than just adding to the problem.
"The wise are known for their understanding,
and pleasant words are persuasive.
Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,
but discipline is wasted on fools.
From a wise mind comes wise speech;
the words of the wise are persuasive.
Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." (Proverbs 16:21-24, NLT)
Let's bring this discussion to where we live - our homes, our jobs, and our local church. Are you a creative participant or a critic on the sidelines?
You can criticize the way that your wife cares for your kids or you can join her in being an active parent.
You can join the gossip about your project manager, or you can build a team that gets the job done.
You can take on a ministry assignment at your church or you can just lament the failures of the pastor to adequately meet your needs.
In Exodus there a great lesson about this tucked into a story about Moses and his father-in-law. Fathers-in-law are notorious critics - except for my father-in-law - who always encourages me, really! Jethro (yes, that really is his name) went to see Moses and Zipporah, (yes, that is really her name!) his daughter, after the Israelite people had been delivered from Egyptian slavery. The emerging nation was still somewhat chaotic and Jethro noted the inefficient way in which Moses provided leadership for the people. Moses went out and sat to settle disputes. The lines of people who needed his decision stretched to the horizons! Jethro then made this observation. "What are you really accomplishing here? Why are you trying to do all this alone while everyone stands around you from morning till evening?" ... This is not good!" (Exodus 18:13-17, NLT)
It did not require brilliance to see the problem and to realize that if this continued, there would be no nation in a very short time. But Jethro went beyond just criticizing. Next he said, "Let me tell you how to do this so that God will be in this with you. Be there for the people before God, but let the matters of concern be presented to God. Your job is to teach them the rules and instructions, to show them how to live, what to do. And then you need to keep a sharp eye out for competent men—men who fear God, men of integrity, men who are incorruptible—and appoint them as leaders over groups organized by the thousand, by the hundred, by fifty, and by ten." (Exodus 18:19-21, The Message)
Jethro's sage advice was provided at just the right moment. He took a risk in offering the advice because it could have provoked Moses, who might have said, "And who, old man, do you think you are? Did God call you to lead Israel?" However, Moses was a man of humility who listened and learned!
Often our criticism is unwarranted, based in something less than full knowledge. Even the godly and mature fall prey to making superficial judgments! Remember Samuel's search for a king for Israel? When he went to Jesse's house in Bethlehem at God's direction, he immediately judged the oldest, tallest son- the one who projected leadership and self-confidence- as the man for the job. But the Lord said, "Samuel, don’t think Eliab is the one just because he’s tall and handsome. He isn’t the one I’ve chosen. People judge others by what they look like, but I judge people by what is in their hearts." (1 Samuel 16:7, CEV) When you're ready to take aim and fire off critical words, may the Lord speak to you, too. Hold those words until you have thought it through, prayed over it, and gained insight. Then, you can become part of the solution rather than just adding to the problem.
"The wise are known for their understanding,
and pleasant words are persuasive.
Discretion is a life-giving fountain to those who possess it,
but discipline is wasted on fools.
From a wise mind comes wise speech;
the words of the wise are persuasive.
Kind words are like honey—
sweet to the soul and healthy for the body." (Proverbs 16:21-24, NLT)
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Imperfectly living, perfectly loved
The toughest part of the life-work to which God called me is knowing when to challenge, when to comfort; when to say "I understand," and when to say, "Do better for God's sake!" I am a coach of sorts; but, I am also a healer, a counselor, too. I need 20/20 vision of what God can make of people's lives, no matter how broken they may be at the moment. If I lose that vision, I will lose the ability to challenge others to let the Spirit of God change them into the likeness of the Lord Jesus, and I will lose the greatest hope that we have - the hope of salvation by the grace of God. But, I cannot be so enthralled with the possibility of making all things perfect that I lose the ability to empathize and love people who are making a mess of life through poor and/or sinful choices; or to give comfort to those whose lives are smashed by people or problems beyond their control.
Almost everyday I deal first with the gap that exists (yes, it exists, believe me!) between who I know God calls me to be, and who I am at this moment. Though I am still an imperfect man, I am thankful that I am loved perfectly by God. This allows me to be hopeful for those who come my way who are living foolishly or hopelessly, or in great pain. I serve people who are dealing with wounds that range from having selfish and/or abusive parents, to the pain of being rejected by a spouse, to being a slave to a boss who cares only for himself, to self-hatred because they have judged themselves too something (fat, skinny, tall, short, dumb, poor - the list is a long one). Many have come to the conclusion, "I am unlovely," and are full of self-loathing. I want them all to be healed and made perfect so badly that there is always an ache just below the surface, a kind of unending prayer that today God will use me to give somebody a reason to look up and ask for His help.
Empathy alone will not bring the life of Christ to those who need Him, however. As important as love is, there is a time for truth, too. We must face ourselves in the mirror and say, "With God's help, this is going to change!" And then to the hard work of making it happen. I am not in charge of opportunities and cannot explain why some people are handed so many gifts and others seem to draw the short straw, again and again. But, I do know that each and everyone of us has choices to make every day that have rippling effects down through the rest of our lives.
-A life-destroying affair starts with a choice to stare a little too long into the eyes of another.
-Losing 50 lbs. to stave off disease starts with what chose to eat for breakfast today!
-Becoming the person God wants us to be starts with a prayer for grace to say 'yes' to Him, just for today.
None of us will get it perfectly right - not the first time, not after 50 years! Perfection waits for that moment when God welcomes us into His glorious Presence. However, if we only see our imperfections, we will give up. But God asks only that today we give ourselves to the task of building His kingdom. Tomorrow will bring us its own set of challenges and its own supply of grace. So, let's grow up in Christ! As we seek His healing, and work to defeat Evil, aiming to make this world a beautiful place, we must hold onto faith, hope, and love. Faith that connects us to the unseen, hope that allows us to possess the promises of God now, and love that makes us like Him.
Here's a word from the Word. Take it with you today. "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV)
"We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good. We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love." (1 Corinthians 13:9-13, The Message)
Almost everyday I deal first with the gap that exists (yes, it exists, believe me!) between who I know God calls me to be, and who I am at this moment. Though I am still an imperfect man, I am thankful that I am loved perfectly by God. This allows me to be hopeful for those who come my way who are living foolishly or hopelessly, or in great pain. I serve people who are dealing with wounds that range from having selfish and/or abusive parents, to the pain of being rejected by a spouse, to being a slave to a boss who cares only for himself, to self-hatred because they have judged themselves too something (fat, skinny, tall, short, dumb, poor - the list is a long one). Many have come to the conclusion, "I am unlovely," and are full of self-loathing. I want them all to be healed and made perfect so badly that there is always an ache just below the surface, a kind of unending prayer that today God will use me to give somebody a reason to look up and ask for His help.
Empathy alone will not bring the life of Christ to those who need Him, however. As important as love is, there is a time for truth, too. We must face ourselves in the mirror and say, "With God's help, this is going to change!" And then to the hard work of making it happen. I am not in charge of opportunities and cannot explain why some people are handed so many gifts and others seem to draw the short straw, again and again. But, I do know that each and everyone of us has choices to make every day that have rippling effects down through the rest of our lives.
-A life-destroying affair starts with a choice to stare a little too long into the eyes of another.
-Losing 50 lbs. to stave off disease starts with what chose to eat for breakfast today!
-Becoming the person God wants us to be starts with a prayer for grace to say 'yes' to Him, just for today.
None of us will get it perfectly right - not the first time, not after 50 years! Perfection waits for that moment when God welcomes us into His glorious Presence. However, if we only see our imperfections, we will give up. But God asks only that today we give ourselves to the task of building His kingdom. Tomorrow will bring us its own set of challenges and its own supply of grace. So, let's grow up in Christ! As we seek His healing, and work to defeat Evil, aiming to make this world a beautiful place, we must hold onto faith, hope, and love. Faith that connects us to the unseen, hope that allows us to possess the promises of God now, and love that makes us like Him.
Here's a word from the Word. Take it with you today. "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NIV)
"We know only a portion of the truth, and what we say about God is always incomplete. But when the Complete arrives, our incompletes will be canceled.
When I was an infant at my mother’s breast, I gurgled and cooed like any infant. When I grew up, I left those infant ways for good. We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through a mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then, see it all as clearly as God sees us, knowing him directly just as he knows us!
But for right now, until that completeness, we have three things to do to lead us toward that consummation: Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love." (1 Corinthians 13:9-13, The Message)
Friday, June 29, 2007
Nothing, Nada, Zip!
I tend to cry much more often these days. It usually has nothing to do with being sad! I am just so humbled by what God does around me, with me, and for me. I received a cell phone call yesterday while shopping in Wal-Mart and felt foolish when my eyes glistened with tears as I heard a young man telling me about how the Lord answered his prayer- in a way that was immediate and amazing. While I listened to his wonder, hearing him describe his search to know God, I sensed the Spirit right there with me.... yes, even in Wal-Mart! In part my emotional overflow was a reflection of my own amazement at His great grace. I often sing the words to this song - "Why me, Lord? What have I ever done to deserve even one of the pleasures I've known?" (Kris Kristofferson) I ask Him that question so many times even though I know so well that He loves me because of His grace, not because I am smart enough, 'Christian' enough, or perfect enough to deserve His favor.
The Adversary wants you and me to get so focused on being 'good enough' for God, to start to believe that our goodness is producing the blessing of God (or conversely, that our hard times are the result of His punishment) so we lose the joy of being close to our Father. The fact is that He blesses because He is good. True, we suffer when we sin, but not because God curses us, but because of the ancient law of seed and harvest. We harvest the crop we plant. If we plant rebellion, resistance to God's will, and selfishness, then we will find our lives full of misery. If we invite God to teach us to be gardeners in life that plant seeds to produce spiritual fruit, we will know a peace that supersedes the day to day circumstances of life. The Word says, "The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:8, NIV)
The key to doing spiritual work effectively isn't our own strength, cleverness, or skills. It is humble obedience and reliance on the Lord. Every day we simply present ourselves to the Lord, thanking Him for His love, and asking the Spirit to guide us, to help us say a ready 'yes, Lord!' when He speaks to us. And, He will! The Bible says, "For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." (1 Corinthians 1:5-7, NIV) Yes, we must recognize that the 'you' that is the subject of this verse is a collective describing the Church. But, you and I am 'in the Church' and we can claim the promise of being empowered for a life of wholeness and holiness personally! Do you?
When I am on the edge of being overwhelmed by my fears and think that because I am so human that failure is just a step away, there is but one thing that can restore serenity to my soul. It is the assurance of the Scripture that "It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6, NLT)
What strengths did God see in you and me? Nothing, nada, zip! But He called us and said, "I will enrich you in every way!" That is why we must confess our weakness and claim His strength.
Here's a Word to take with you today... God "chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God." (1 Corinthians 1:28-31, The Message)
The Adversary wants you and me to get so focused on being 'good enough' for God, to start to believe that our goodness is producing the blessing of God (or conversely, that our hard times are the result of His punishment) so we lose the joy of being close to our Father. The fact is that He blesses because He is good. True, we suffer when we sin, but not because God curses us, but because of the ancient law of seed and harvest. We harvest the crop we plant. If we plant rebellion, resistance to God's will, and selfishness, then we will find our lives full of misery. If we invite God to teach us to be gardeners in life that plant seeds to produce spiritual fruit, we will know a peace that supersedes the day to day circumstances of life. The Word says, "The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life." (Galatians 6:8, NIV)
The key to doing spiritual work effectively isn't our own strength, cleverness, or skills. It is humble obedience and reliance on the Lord. Every day we simply present ourselves to the Lord, thanking Him for His love, and asking the Spirit to guide us, to help us say a ready 'yes, Lord!' when He speaks to us. And, He will! The Bible says, "For in him you have been enriched in every way—in all your speaking and in all your knowledge— because our testimony about Christ was confirmed in you. Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed." (1 Corinthians 1:5-7, NIV) Yes, we must recognize that the 'you' that is the subject of this verse is a collective describing the Church. But, you and I am 'in the Church' and we can claim the promise of being empowered for a life of wholeness and holiness personally! Do you?
When I am on the edge of being overwhelmed by my fears and think that because I am so human that failure is just a step away, there is but one thing that can restore serenity to my soul. It is the assurance of the Scripture that "It is not by force nor by strength, but by my Spirit, says the Lord Almighty." (Zechariah 4:6, NLT)
What strengths did God see in you and me? Nothing, nada, zip! But He called us and said, "I will enrich you in every way!" That is why we must confess our weakness and claim His strength.
Here's a Word to take with you today... God "chose these "nobodies" to expose the hollow pretensions of the "somebodies"? That makes it quite clear that none of you can get by with blowing your own horn before God. Everything that we have—right thinking and right living, a clean slate and a fresh start—comes from God by way of Jesus Christ. That's why we have the saying, "If you're going to blow a horn, blow a trumpet for God." (1 Corinthians 1:28-31, The Message)
Thursday, June 28, 2007
The war of two natures
There are two distinct Jerry's - in me! Now some of you are concerned. Relax, good friend. I am not suffering from a schizophrenic illness or a dissociative personality disorder. I am a normal human being with a spiritual nature, made alive to God by the Holy Spirit, and a natural man, with an active sinful nature. The spiritual nature in me loves God, is empowered by faith, loves others, lives to serve eternal purposes, is gentle and kind. The sinful nature, with which I was born, loves the things of this present world, is prone to fear, and is resistant to the will of God.
Without receiving the life of Jesus Christ, by faith, we are incapable of overcoming our innate sinfulness. We are cut off from the power of God, a state that the Bible describes starkly as being 'dead in sin.' Don't read that to mean that without knowing Jesus we will all be social predators, rapists, murderers, and thieves. What the Bible teaches is that apart from Christ, we cannot live in faith, cannot respond to the Holy Spirit's direction, and when pressed by problems- we will revert to our instinctive self-preserving behaviors. Through Christ, we come alive to God, receiving the Spirit of God, who creates in us the possibility of living in a way that is responsive to the purposes of our Creator. When we make that choice, our lives will be characterized by the evidence of the "God-life," - "...the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT)
Dear believer, know this! The sinful nature does not die easily, nor is its defeat automatic. Too many times, preachers imply that with some religious experience, or through some program, or by some ritual means a person can become instantly and eternally holy. How I would like for that to be true, but it isn't. It is a deception that leads to disillusionment and despair in the lives of many who hunger for true holiness. The truth is that the sinful nature is overcome - day by day - by learning the Truth and by 'breathing in' the life of the Spirit.
Discussing this duality, the Scripture says - "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." (Ephesians 4:20-24, NLT)
We can come away from a 'mountain top' experience- a spiritual retreat, a great worship service, a week's vacation - and feel so full of God that we imagine that temptation will never touch us again. "The sinful is gone, forever!" We are filled up with love, suffused with joyful peace, overflowing in faith in those times. That is a good thing. Times of refreshing are exactly that - seasons in life. But we cannot live on the mountain all of the time. God calls us to serve Him in our neighborhoods, the office where we work, amidst the trials of daily life. And, we are drained, wearied; yes, even bruised and bloodied, by the power of sin and darkness which we encounter, sometimes in intensity approaching warfare. Does that mean we did not really meet God? Not at all. All it means is that we are not home in Heaven, yet! We are not victims. We are not helpless. We are not defeated. Why? Because, in Christ, we can overcome.
Believer, put on the new nature, created to be like God today. Let the truth of God change your way of thinking. In prayer, breathe in the life of the Spirit, which renews your hope and gives vision. Take up the cross of Christ, which is the high and holy calling of all who follow Him, and suffer the death of Self gladly.
"And that about wraps it up.
God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.
This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own.
Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.
In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." (Ephesians 6:10-18, The Message)
Amen
Without receiving the life of Jesus Christ, by faith, we are incapable of overcoming our innate sinfulness. We are cut off from the power of God, a state that the Bible describes starkly as being 'dead in sin.' Don't read that to mean that without knowing Jesus we will all be social predators, rapists, murderers, and thieves. What the Bible teaches is that apart from Christ, we cannot live in faith, cannot respond to the Holy Spirit's direction, and when pressed by problems- we will revert to our instinctive self-preserving behaviors. Through Christ, we come alive to God, receiving the Spirit of God, who creates in us the possibility of living in a way that is responsive to the purposes of our Creator. When we make that choice, our lives will be characterized by the evidence of the "God-life," - "...the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NLT)
Dear believer, know this! The sinful nature does not die easily, nor is its defeat automatic. Too many times, preachers imply that with some religious experience, or through some program, or by some ritual means a person can become instantly and eternally holy. How I would like for that to be true, but it isn't. It is a deception that leads to disillusionment and despair in the lives of many who hunger for true holiness. The truth is that the sinful nature is overcome - day by day - by learning the Truth and by 'breathing in' the life of the Spirit.
Discussing this duality, the Scripture says - "Since you have heard about Jesus and have learned the truth that comes from him, throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception. Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes. Put on your new nature, created to be like God—truly righteous and holy." (Ephesians 4:20-24, NLT)
We can come away from a 'mountain top' experience- a spiritual retreat, a great worship service, a week's vacation - and feel so full of God that we imagine that temptation will never touch us again. "The sinful is gone, forever!" We are filled up with love, suffused with joyful peace, overflowing in faith in those times. That is a good thing. Times of refreshing are exactly that - seasons in life. But we cannot live on the mountain all of the time. God calls us to serve Him in our neighborhoods, the office where we work, amidst the trials of daily life. And, we are drained, wearied; yes, even bruised and bloodied, by the power of sin and darkness which we encounter, sometimes in intensity approaching warfare. Does that mean we did not really meet God? Not at all. All it means is that we are not home in Heaven, yet! We are not victims. We are not helpless. We are not defeated. Why? Because, in Christ, we can overcome.
Believer, put on the new nature, created to be like God today. Let the truth of God change your way of thinking. In prayer, breathe in the life of the Spirit, which renews your hope and gives vision. Take up the cross of Christ, which is the high and holy calling of all who follow Him, and suffer the death of Self gladly.
"And that about wraps it up.
God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.
This is no afternoon athletic contest that we’ll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels. Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own.
Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You’ll need them throughout your life. God’s Word is an indispensable weapon.
In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare. Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other’s spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out." (Ephesians 6:10-18, The Message)
Amen
Wednesday, June 27, 2007
God still speaks!
Bev and I went to see the movie, "Evan Almighty." It's a predictable, clichéd story about a man elected to Congress whom God tells to build an ark in suburban Virginia in order to save his family from a pending flood. Humor in the movie is not sophisticated, i.e., the Biblical command to Noah is "build the ark from gopherwood." Evan Baxter notes that the the delivery truck that supplies materials for his ark is from 1-800- Go-4-Wood. Ouch! (My recommendation? Save your money and see it when the DVD is released.)
There are some good scenes with loads of cute animal shots. It is fun family entertainment - aside from the fact that kids might get a warped concept about the true nature of God. (He is Spirit and not a man who looks like Morgan Freeman.) Here's what stuck with me. Why do we have such a hard time accepting that God speaks to people today? In the middle of the movie, I leaned over to Bev and whispered, 'why do people nearly universally assume that if someone claims to hear from God, they must be mentally unhinged?' Every character in the film assumes that when Evan Baxter claims to hear God speaking, he must have lost his sanity. I understand that grandiosity and hearing voices is often a sign of mental illness, but I also read the Bible and note that the Scripture is full of accounts in which people converse with God, are told to do impossible and amazing things, and who consequentially endure censure from friends and family.
I am certain that the work of God today is greatly hindered by our cultural assumptions about the 'reality' of hearing the voice of God. I wonder how many of us actually expect God to speak, or take time to listen for His voice, when we present Him with our prayerful petitions? There is a scene in "Evan Almighty" where "God" (ala Mr. Freeman) gives a great lesson to a doubter. He asks Evan's fearful wife how she expects prayer to be answered. "If you ask for courage," He says, " shouldn't you expect situations to present themselves that require you to be brave? If you ask for patience, shouldn't you expect circumstances that demand some endurance?" Take that point, which is true, a step further. IF we ask to be used by God to do His work in the world, and that is the point of being a follower of Jesus, then shouldn't we expect Him to lead into places of service?
Yes, if someone you know claims that God stopped by for a cup of coffee at breakfast time and gave them numbers to play in the lottery, or if they are saying that God has exempted them from the moral imperatives of Scripture so they can abandon responsibility for their family, or divorce their wife to marry the younger woman at the office, or buy a Lamborghini when they cannot afford the car they have- urge them to seek help! But, if they tell you that they have been hearing the whisper of the Spirit urging them to take a new course in life - such as leaving a lucrative career to serve in a ministry to those in need, or to sell their big house and invest themselves more deeply in spiritual matters - encourage them! Many will think they are just 'having a crisis' but I believe God still speaks!
He has spoken in His Word. That is the gold standard of Truth. No, He won't create new doctrines or contradict His moral law. To claim 'new revelation or new light' is a dangerous thing that leads people over the cliff of self-destruction. Every cult on the planet started when someone claimed that God had shown them new truth! That is not the direction I am urging you to go today. I do believe He speaks to us, to guide us and direct us day by day, by the voice of the Spirit. So, pray that the Spirit will speak to you about things like how you can better show love to your family, about the places in your life where you have grown careless about His purpose, about the things you have come to love more than you love Him, about who He wants to love through you, etc.!
". . .the Holy Spirit says, Today, please listen; don’t turn a deaf ear
. . . So watch your step, friends.
Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes." (Hebrews 3:7-13, The Message)
There are some good scenes with loads of cute animal shots. It is fun family entertainment - aside from the fact that kids might get a warped concept about the true nature of God. (He is Spirit and not a man who looks like Morgan Freeman.) Here's what stuck with me. Why do we have such a hard time accepting that God speaks to people today? In the middle of the movie, I leaned over to Bev and whispered, 'why do people nearly universally assume that if someone claims to hear from God, they must be mentally unhinged?' Every character in the film assumes that when Evan Baxter claims to hear God speaking, he must have lost his sanity. I understand that grandiosity and hearing voices is often a sign of mental illness, but I also read the Bible and note that the Scripture is full of accounts in which people converse with God, are told to do impossible and amazing things, and who consequentially endure censure from friends and family.
I am certain that the work of God today is greatly hindered by our cultural assumptions about the 'reality' of hearing the voice of God. I wonder how many of us actually expect God to speak, or take time to listen for His voice, when we present Him with our prayerful petitions? There is a scene in "Evan Almighty" where "God" (ala Mr. Freeman) gives a great lesson to a doubter. He asks Evan's fearful wife how she expects prayer to be answered. "If you ask for courage," He says, " shouldn't you expect situations to present themselves that require you to be brave? If you ask for patience, shouldn't you expect circumstances that demand some endurance?" Take that point, which is true, a step further. IF we ask to be used by God to do His work in the world, and that is the point of being a follower of Jesus, then shouldn't we expect Him to lead into places of service?
Yes, if someone you know claims that God stopped by for a cup of coffee at breakfast time and gave them numbers to play in the lottery, or if they are saying that God has exempted them from the moral imperatives of Scripture so they can abandon responsibility for their family, or divorce their wife to marry the younger woman at the office, or buy a Lamborghini when they cannot afford the car they have- urge them to seek help! But, if they tell you that they have been hearing the whisper of the Spirit urging them to take a new course in life - such as leaving a lucrative career to serve in a ministry to those in need, or to sell their big house and invest themselves more deeply in spiritual matters - encourage them! Many will think they are just 'having a crisis' but I believe God still speaks!
He has spoken in His Word. That is the gold standard of Truth. No, He won't create new doctrines or contradict His moral law. To claim 'new revelation or new light' is a dangerous thing that leads people over the cliff of self-destruction. Every cult on the planet started when someone claimed that God had shown them new truth! That is not the direction I am urging you to go today. I do believe He speaks to us, to guide us and direct us day by day, by the voice of the Spirit. So, pray that the Spirit will speak to you about things like how you can better show love to your family, about the places in your life where you have grown careless about His purpose, about the things you have come to love more than you love Him, about who He wants to love through you, etc.!
". . .the Holy Spirit says, Today, please listen; don’t turn a deaf ear
. . . So watch your step, friends.
Make sure there’s no evil unbelief lying around that will trip you up and throw you off course, diverting you from the living God. For as long as it’s still God’s Today, keep each other on your toes so sin doesn’t slow down your reflexes." (Hebrews 3:7-13, The Message)
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Complex world; simple faith
My life is organized around my confession of faith. God, the Creator, governs the world. I can know Him because of Jesus Christ, His Son, who is my Lord and Savior. The Holy Spirit lives in me, empowering me to serve His purposes. It is a simple faith, but not an easy one! The complexity of life challenges my faith almost daily. Things like Katrina (the hurricane that devastated SE United States), cancer, and human cruelty in all its various forms, beg me to question God's power and presence. But, the choice is made - I belong to God and, by His grace, I will continue to love and serve Him for the rest of my days.
There was a time in my life when my faith involved many threads, clauses, and reservations. At that time, faith was more like a complicated contract than a simple statement! I struggled to make it 'fit' the complexity of the world around me, wrestling to explain all of the things that I observed in my daily experience within the framework of the faith I professed. Many prayers were offered up around the question - 'why?' A few of those questions have been answered over time, but most remain. What has changed is that I now enjoy a deep abiding sense of God's Presence in this world. It is not that my life has become simpler! If anything, it is even more complex now than ever. I carry a greater load of responsibility for more people and a larger organization than I have at any time in my 52 years. Decisions that I make or in which I am a participant have a direct effect on the lives of others. That is, at least partially, why I have come to a faith that is more distilled around this core truth- Jesus cares and loves me, therefore, I can love and care for others.
This simpler faith has freed me from the need to negotiate with God, to beg His favor. I am more convinced that "God is for me, not against me." I live in the confidence that nothing that comes my way is too big for Him, will surprise Him, or can overcome His gracious love. No, I am not a simpleton who lacks a grasp of the possibilities for pain or disappointment that exist all around me. I am still very much part of this world which is, in the words of Martin Luther, 'with devils filled and threatens to undo us!' But I am a subject of the King whose power has triumphed over sin, Hell, and death. So, with Paul, I set my hope in Christ Jesus. "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." (2 Timothy 1:12-14, NIV)
Let me urge you to choose simple faith. From the Word, understand the core Truth of God's eternal nature, of the triumph of Christ, and of the Spirit's power - and place those things at the center of your life. Ask the Lord to teach you to respond in faith to the issues of your life, choosing the way of the faithful consistently. And, you will find rock-like stability in a confusing, complex world! James reminds us of the importance of simple faith.
"If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father.
He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.
Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.
People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves.
Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open." (James 1:5-8, The Message)
There are still many complex questions around the 'what, when, where, why, and how' of life! But, knowing Who holds the answers to those questions in His eternal mind is my rock of assurance. Do you know Him? Is He really Lord? Then, trust Him!
______________________________________
Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Tho the night deepens, And tempest are wild;
Still I can trust Him I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, And I am His child.
Under His wings, Under His wings
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.
Under His wings, What a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort and there I am blest.
Under His Wings, Ira Sankey© Public Domain
CCLI License No. 810055
There was a time in my life when my faith involved many threads, clauses, and reservations. At that time, faith was more like a complicated contract than a simple statement! I struggled to make it 'fit' the complexity of the world around me, wrestling to explain all of the things that I observed in my daily experience within the framework of the faith I professed. Many prayers were offered up around the question - 'why?' A few of those questions have been answered over time, but most remain. What has changed is that I now enjoy a deep abiding sense of God's Presence in this world. It is not that my life has become simpler! If anything, it is even more complex now than ever. I carry a greater load of responsibility for more people and a larger organization than I have at any time in my 52 years. Decisions that I make or in which I am a participant have a direct effect on the lives of others. That is, at least partially, why I have come to a faith that is more distilled around this core truth- Jesus cares and loves me, therefore, I can love and care for others.
This simpler faith has freed me from the need to negotiate with God, to beg His favor. I am more convinced that "God is for me, not against me." I live in the confidence that nothing that comes my way is too big for Him, will surprise Him, or can overcome His gracious love. No, I am not a simpleton who lacks a grasp of the possibilities for pain or disappointment that exist all around me. I am still very much part of this world which is, in the words of Martin Luther, 'with devils filled and threatens to undo us!' But I am a subject of the King whose power has triumphed over sin, Hell, and death. So, with Paul, I set my hope in Christ Jesus. "I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. What you heard from me, keep as the pattern of sound teaching, with faith and love in Christ Jesus. Guard the good deposit that was entrusted to you—guard it with the help of the Holy Spirit who lives in us." (2 Timothy 1:12-14, NIV)
Let me urge you to choose simple faith. From the Word, understand the core Truth of God's eternal nature, of the triumph of Christ, and of the Spirit's power - and place those things at the center of your life. Ask the Lord to teach you to respond in faith to the issues of your life, choosing the way of the faithful consistently. And, you will find rock-like stability in a confusing, complex world! James reminds us of the importance of simple faith.
"If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father.
He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it.
Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought.
People who "worry their prayers" are like wind-whipped waves.
Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open." (James 1:5-8, The Message)
There are still many complex questions around the 'what, when, where, why, and how' of life! But, knowing Who holds the answers to those questions in His eternal mind is my rock of assurance. Do you know Him? Is He really Lord? Then, trust Him!
______________________________________
Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Tho the night deepens, And tempest are wild;
Still I can trust Him I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, And I am His child.
Under His wings, Under His wings
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.
Under His wings, What a refuge in sorrow!
How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort and there I am blest.
Under His Wings, Ira Sankey© Public Domain
CCLI License No. 810055
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