From the subject line, you could conclude that I do not buy the alarmist language of our national leaders warning of an impending economic implosion. Honestly, what I know about economics ends with a balanced checkbook and mortgage interest rates, so I won't risk making a silly statement about what whether this is a real or manufactured crisis. Any investment advice I might give would be worth what you paid for it; nothing! But, I am watching all this news with a great deal of interest and no small amount of concern, wondering what it will mean for my future, for the finances of our church and Christian school, and how the crisis will effect the lives of those who are close to the edge financially. My questions far outweigh the answers available.
This I know; this is a time to re-evaluate where I am placing my hope and what I treasure most. And, I know this, too. As disciples of Jesus Christ, we must not allow ourselves to be overtaken with panicky feelings. We need not be sleepless through the night! We need not fear the future. We should check and be certain that we are following God's plan for stewardship of our resources, including choices like: being content with what we have, not spending our future by diving into debt, buying what we need and can afford rather than thing that impress others, exercising prudence in our spending so we are not living above our means, regularly setting aside a sizeable portion of our income for giving to God's work and those in need. Even though a Christian who practices sound stewardship practices is not exempt from the effects of a bad national economy, he has every reason for hope, and a sure faith that keeps him solid as a rock when the world around shakes.
Through the disciplines of the Spirit, he has come to know that his true wealth is not based on his bank account balance. His actual security is not found in gold. Jesus says: “Take care! Protect yourself against the least bit of greed. Life is not defined by what you have, even when you have a lot.” (Luke 12:15 Message) We need that hear His wisdom, again and again. We live in two worlds - this present one, where we have bills to pay and are tempted by all the 'stuff' that is available to us; and the spiritual world, which is our true and eternal home. After cautioning us about becoming too attached to material goods, Jesus told this story.
“The farm of a certain rich man produced a terrific crop. He talked to himself: ‘What can I do? My barn isn’t big enough for this harvest.’ Then he said, ‘Here’s what I’ll do: I’ll tear down my barns and build bigger ones. Then I’ll gather in all my grain and goods, and I’ll say to myself, Self, you’ve done well! You’ve got it made and can now retire. Take it easy and have the time of your life!’
“Just then God showed up and said, ‘Fool! Tonight you die. And your barnful of goods—who gets it?’ “
That’s what happens when you fill your barn with Self and not with God.” (Luke 12:15-21, The Message)
"We cannot maintain a good life of extravagance and a good conscience simultaneously. One or the other has to be sacrificed. Either we keep our conscience and reduce our affluence by giving generously and helping those in need, or we keep our affluence and smother our conscience. We have to choose between God and man." - John Stott, quoted in Discipleship Journal : Issue 53.
Another familiar passage comforts and confronts us.
“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:19-21, NIV)
Is the sky falling? Are hard times ahead? I do not know. I will pray for God's peace to protect my mind. I will choose to live in faith and I will store my treasure in Heaven. And, I will pray for my love for Jesus to grow stronger, replacing my attraction to the trinkets of this world. How about you?
_______________________
I don't know about tomorrow,
I just live from day to day.
I don't borrow from its sunshine,
For its skies may turn to gray.
I don't worry o'er the future,
For I know what Jesus said;
And today I'll walk beside Him,
For He knows what is ahead.
I don't know about tomorrow,
It may bring me poverty.
But the One who feeds the sparrow,
Is the One who stands by me.
And the path that is my portion,
May be through the flame or flood;
But His presence goes before me,
And I'm covered with His blood.
Many things about tomorrow,
I don't seem to understand;
But I know who holds tomorrow,
And I know who holds my hand.
I Don't Know About Tomorrow
Ira Stanphill © 1950 Singspiration Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
Fireworks and Seeds
I enjoy fireworks! First, you see the colorful light design spread across the sky, then you hear the boom of the explosion, then comes the shockwave of pressure you can feel in your chest. It is an awesome display meant to be impressive. But for all of the dazzling effects of sound and light, it's over in seconds, the sky fading to black, the
sound waves rolling off the distant hills. I am also impressed by another kind of power - that which locked into a little seed! You take the tiny packet of potential life and place in the earth. With the right kind of moisture and some heat, it germinates and sends out a shoot that pushes aside the soil and grows, and grows, and grows. If it's a seed of a maple tree and it grows next to sidewalk, over time the growing tree can lift concrete slabs!
Let me ask you to consider how God accomplishes His work. Does He use fireworks or seeds? He uses both. Jesus occasionally did big, impressive miracles to attract attention of the crowds; but the greater work of the Kingdom was the seed of Truth that He planted that continues spreads a lasting influence in hearts and minds of people who receive it into their lives, with faith. Quietly and persistently over time, the Truth changes sinners into saints, transforms entire cultures and makes the world a new and different place. "Here is another illustration Jesus used: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches." Jesus also used this illustration: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough." (Matthew 13:31-33, NLT)
Let me encourage you today to trust the persistent, quiet power that is locked into the seed of God's Truth. Receive it with thanksgiving. Water it with prayer and reflection. Allow the Spirit to work in you. If you do, you can be sure that godliness will most surely grow in your
character! Occasionally, God may send some fireworks. From time to time, He may choose to do big, impressive miracles; but most of the time His work will done quietly, over time. Give the power of the Word time to grow. Don't be discouraged by the slow pace of change. Don't let charlatans seduce you with promises of spiritual transformation resulting from quick and easy techniques. Instead, be steady. What God brings out of your life will be truly amazing.
Here's a word from the Word, full of promise. I pray it will stir new confidence in you, helping you to wait on His will steadily.
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." (Psalm 1, NIV)
___________________
The Spirit of the Lord is great and mighty,
The Spirit of the Lord is my victory;
The Spirit of the Lord is great and mighty,
Great and mighty in me.
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.
I am more than a conqueror by the power of His Word,
Of His Word.
In the name of Jesus, I can do anything
By the power of His Spirit,
Through the One who strengthens me,
Strengthens me.
The Spirit of the Lord
Billy Funk © 1992 Integrity's Praise! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
sound waves rolling off the distant hills. I am also impressed by another kind of power - that which locked into a little seed! You take the tiny packet of potential life and place in the earth. With the right kind of moisture and some heat, it germinates and sends out a shoot that pushes aside the soil and grows, and grows, and grows. If it's a seed of a maple tree and it grows next to sidewalk, over time the growing tree can lift concrete slabs!
Let me ask you to consider how God accomplishes His work. Does He use fireworks or seeds? He uses both. Jesus occasionally did big, impressive miracles to attract attention of the crowds; but the greater work of the Kingdom was the seed of Truth that He planted that continues spreads a lasting influence in hearts and minds of people who receive it into their lives, with faith. Quietly and persistently over time, the Truth changes sinners into saints, transforms entire cultures and makes the world a new and different place. "Here is another illustration Jesus used: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like a mustard seed planted in a field. It is the smallest of all seeds, but it becomes the largest of garden plants; it grows into a tree, and birds come and make nests in its branches." Jesus also used this illustration: "The Kingdom of Heaven is like the yeast a woman used in making bread. Even though she put only a little yeast in three measures of flour, it permeated every part of the dough." (Matthew 13:31-33, NLT)
Let me encourage you today to trust the persistent, quiet power that is locked into the seed of God's Truth. Receive it with thanksgiving. Water it with prayer and reflection. Allow the Spirit to work in you. If you do, you can be sure that godliness will most surely grow in your
character! Occasionally, God may send some fireworks. From time to time, He may choose to do big, impressive miracles; but most of the time His work will done quietly, over time. Give the power of the Word time to grow. Don't be discouraged by the slow pace of change. Don't let charlatans seduce you with promises of spiritual transformation resulting from quick and easy techniques. Instead, be steady. What God brings out of your life will be truly amazing.
Here's a word from the Word, full of promise. I pray it will stir new confidence in you, helping you to wait on His will steadily.
"Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on his law he meditates day and night.
He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.
Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.
Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous.
For the LORD watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish." (Psalm 1, NIV)
___________________
The Spirit of the Lord is great and mighty,
The Spirit of the Lord is my victory;
The Spirit of the Lord is great and mighty,
Great and mighty in me.
Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.
I am more than a conqueror by the power of His Word,
Of His Word.
In the name of Jesus, I can do anything
By the power of His Spirit,
Through the One who strengthens me,
Strengthens me.
The Spirit of the Lord
Billy Funk © 1992 Integrity's Praise! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, September 26, 2008
A persistent fantasy?
If you asked me to heft 200 lbs of dead weight from the ground right at this moment, I could not do it! If you told me that my life would depend on my ability to heft that same load in six weeks, I could condition my body and strengthen my muscles for that task. It would require discipline and consistent training but it is not impossible. Christians tell me all the time, "I just cannot do what God wants me to do. It's impossible!" They're not talking about a call to go to Papua New Guinea as a missionary, either. They are claiming that they cannot forgive those who mistreat them, love their enemies, etc. They are right and wrong, at the same time. It is true that their spiritual life may be so out of shape that they truly cannot live the Christian life, however, it is not true that God is asking the impossible of them. What's missing? Spiritual disciplines that build spiritual strength.
Too often Christians mistakenly believe that they can 'just rely on the Spirit' to make them faithful, holy, and Christ-honoring people. There is this persistent fantasy that sincere tears shed in prayer and good intentions are all God needs to make people into solid disciples. This oft-told myth has created churches that are full of disappointed people who live in perpetual defeat, enslaved by their lusts, addictions, and emotions. Paul, the apostle who changed the world in which he lived, shows us a different way. "Run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NLT)
Disciples who overcome temptation, whose lives are full of the beautiful, mature fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - Gal. 5:22) are not that way because they have done things to merit God's blessings. However, they enjoy a life with those qualities when they practice disciplines that allow the character of Christ Jesus to mature in their hearts and minds. To be sure, the seed of growth comes from the Holy Spirit, who 'makes us alive with Christ.' We cannot simply engage in practices that reform our lives because naturally we are dead to God, incapable of holiness and righteousness, except in the most superficial ways. But, having received the Spirit of life, we must do the daily work of spiritual formation, that will allow the character of Christ Jesus to be formed in us.
Disciple, chose today to begin to read the Scripture, to seek time in solitude where God can speak, to serve someone in humility, to give as an act of worship. Choose submission rather than self-expression.
Mediate on this Word today. He will use the Truth to change your life, if you'll allow Him to do so!
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ...as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:5-7, 12-14, NIV)
______________________
Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Savior,
I know for sure all of my days
Are held in Your hand;
Crafted into Your perfect plan.
You gently call me into Your presence,
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit;
Teach me, dear Lord, to live all of my life
Through Your eyes.
I'm captured by Your holy calling,
Set me apart, I know You're drawing me
to Yourself;
Lead me, Lord, I pray.
Take me, mold me, use me, fill me;
I give my life to the Potter's hand.
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me;
I give my life to the Potter's hand.
Potter's Hand © 1997 Darlene Zschech (Hillsong) (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity's Hosanna! Music)
CCLI License No. 810055
Too often Christians mistakenly believe that they can 'just rely on the Spirit' to make them faithful, holy, and Christ-honoring people. There is this persistent fantasy that sincere tears shed in prayer and good intentions are all God needs to make people into solid disciples. This oft-told myth has created churches that are full of disappointed people who live in perpetual defeat, enslaved by their lusts, addictions, and emotions. Paul, the apostle who changed the world in which he lived, shows us a different way. "Run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NLT)
Disciples who overcome temptation, whose lives are full of the beautiful, mature fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control - Gal. 5:22) are not that way because they have done things to merit God's blessings. However, they enjoy a life with those qualities when they practice disciplines that allow the character of Christ Jesus to mature in their hearts and minds. To be sure, the seed of growth comes from the Holy Spirit, who 'makes us alive with Christ.' We cannot simply engage in practices that reform our lives because naturally we are dead to God, incapable of holiness and righteousness, except in the most superficial ways. But, having received the Spirit of life, we must do the daily work of spiritual formation, that will allow the character of Christ Jesus to be formed in us.
Disciple, chose today to begin to read the Scripture, to seek time in solitude where God can speak, to serve someone in humility, to give as an act of worship. Choose submission rather than self-expression.
Mediate on this Word today. He will use the Truth to change your life, if you'll allow Him to do so!
"Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming. You used to walk in these ways, in the life you once lived. ...as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity." (Colossians 3:5-7, 12-14, NIV)
______________________
Beautiful Lord, Wonderful Savior,
I know for sure all of my days
Are held in Your hand;
Crafted into Your perfect plan.
You gently call me into Your presence,
Guiding me by Your Holy Spirit;
Teach me, dear Lord, to live all of my life
Through Your eyes.
I'm captured by Your holy calling,
Set me apart, I know You're drawing me
to Yourself;
Lead me, Lord, I pray.
Take me, mold me, use me, fill me;
I give my life to the Potter's hand.
Call me, guide me, lead me, walk beside me;
I give my life to the Potter's hand.
Potter's Hand © 1997 Darlene Zschech (Hillsong) (Admin. in U.S. & Canada by Integrity's Hosanna! Music)
CCLI License No. 810055
Thursday, September 25, 2008
A turtle life?
A mommy whose 5 year old son attended our Vacation Bible School reported the following: So, I tell Jacob, "Tell me the words to that song so we can ask Mrs. Scott." "Okay," he says, "it's the one with the turtle in it.""What?" I ask perplexed "You know... God paid the price, so we can have "a turtle" life!" I went hysterical!!!! You really can't make this stuff up! So, if you could provide us with the title, or some of the "real" words that would be great.
After a bit of research, we discovered that the lyrics actually say, "Jesus paid the price so we could have eternal life!" I guess when your just 5 years old, a "turtle life" makes more sense than 'eternal' life!
The Gospel is always presented within context, and unless we take care to translate the message accurately across cultural and age boundaries, we might end up preaching an incomprehensible garble of words. To present Christ to the world we need both insight into our audience and the enabling of the Spirit!
In the book of Acts, we read of Paul's visit to Athens. In a masterful illustration of cross-cultural communication, he went to the Areopagus to talk about Christ Jesus in the philosophy forum there. He started this way. "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands." (Acts 17:22-24, NIV) He set the message of Jesus Christ into the context of the audience. He then, preached a brilliant message about the God who knows who we are and Who can be known through the Resurrected Lord Jesus. Some mocked, but there were converts that day. He was willing to leave his comfort zone to carry the Good News to others. He said, "Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. ... When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings." (1 Corinthians 9:19, 22-23, NLT)
Disciples are called to share the hope and life of Jesus Christ with their world. If people are not responding to our message, if we're not helping others find the Truth of Jesus, we must not assume they are uninterested in what we have to say. It might be that we need to check how we're saying it; taking time to determine if our words are comprehended as we intend. Imagine being without a working knowledge of the Scripture and being challenged to come to be 'washed the Blood of the Lamb!' That is one scary picture if the words are taken literally without a grasp of the metaphors intended! It only means something if a person knows the story of the Passover, something of the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, and about the Cross! For those who do, being 'washed in the blood of the Lamb' is a beautiful way to speak of God's mercy and grace, that is offered freely, but at a terrible expense, by the One who gave His life to take away our guilt so we can know and love a Holy God.
Thanks, Jacob, for a great lesson in communication. I hope that your Mommy can help you re-work that song in your mind so that 'turtle life' becomes 'eternal life.'
After a bit of research, we discovered that the lyrics actually say, "Jesus paid the price so we could have eternal life!" I guess when your just 5 years old, a "turtle life" makes more sense than 'eternal' life!
The Gospel is always presented within context, and unless we take care to translate the message accurately across cultural and age boundaries, we might end up preaching an incomprehensible garble of words. To present Christ to the world we need both insight into our audience and the enabling of the Spirit!
In the book of Acts, we read of Paul's visit to Athens. In a masterful illustration of cross-cultural communication, he went to the Areopagus to talk about Christ Jesus in the philosophy forum there. He started this way. "Men of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious. For as I walked around and looked carefully at your objects of worship, I even found an altar with this inscription: TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. Now what you worship as something unknown I am going to proclaim to you. "The God who made the world and everything in it is the Lord of heaven and earth and does not live in temples built by hands." (Acts 17:22-24, NIV) He set the message of Jesus Christ into the context of the audience. He then, preached a brilliant message about the God who knows who we are and Who can be known through the Resurrected Lord Jesus. Some mocked, but there were converts that day. He was willing to leave his comfort zone to carry the Good News to others. He said, "Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring many to Christ. ... When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ. Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings." (1 Corinthians 9:19, 22-23, NLT)
Disciples are called to share the hope and life of Jesus Christ with their world. If people are not responding to our message, if we're not helping others find the Truth of Jesus, we must not assume they are uninterested in what we have to say. It might be that we need to check how we're saying it; taking time to determine if our words are comprehended as we intend. Imagine being without a working knowledge of the Scripture and being challenged to come to be 'washed the Blood of the Lamb!' That is one scary picture if the words are taken literally without a grasp of the metaphors intended! It only means something if a person knows the story of the Passover, something of the sacrificial system of the Old Testament, and about the Cross! For those who do, being 'washed in the blood of the Lamb' is a beautiful way to speak of God's mercy and grace, that is offered freely, but at a terrible expense, by the One who gave His life to take away our guilt so we can know and love a Holy God.
Thanks, Jacob, for a great lesson in communication. I hope that your Mommy can help you re-work that song in your mind so that 'turtle life' becomes 'eternal life.'
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
"Ah, that's good enough!"
Imagine if the Creator had become bored or weary and decided that instead of making the universe all 'very good,' (Genesis 1:31) He had settled for good enough! We observe that God went for design that is wondrous, full of beauty, and marked by excellence. Since this is how our God chose to prepare the world for us, isn't it sad then that so many choose to serve Him with mediocrity? Might this be because we are more committed to our kids' education, passionate about our sports, fanatic about our football team - than we are dedicated to the God we say that we love and serve with our whole heart?
In the Old Testament stories, excellence stands out again and again as a trait God commends.
Joseph was not only faithful through the years that he waited for the plans of God to take him from the prison to the palace. He also worked hard to do his best in every situation.
Daniel was taken from Jerusalem to serve an oppressor king in Babylonia as a slave. Did he slack and look for the easy way? Read the book. Here's how his reputation is summed up: "Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom." (Daniel 6:3, NIV)
We try to create a climate of excellence throughout our local congregation because God is worthy of our best efforts, not our leftovers! Here are a few examples.. and I could add more.
-I never approach the pulpit without extensive preparation of my mind and heart through prayer and study. God is listening to what I say and will hold me accountable on that Day for how I 'handled the Word of Truth.'
-Our grounds team mows the grass and tends the landscape with an eye towards honoring the Lord with a neat lawn!
-Our Christian School maintains high standards, not just to please parents. The team members there know that it is the Lord they serve, first and foremost. It shows!
-Our praise and worship team is devoted with a capital "D." They are on site early on Sunday morning, preparing themselves to lead us to worship of our God. They rehearse timing and strive for the right tone - why? Because they want to look good? Not so much. They know that what they do reflects on God, that if they fumble their way through a service with missed notes and bad timing, that many people will be distracted from focusing on the Lord. Our church is so accustomed to their high level of excellence, both musically and in the Spirit, that we often take it for granted!
How do you love Jesus Christ?
Are you just content to say, "that's good enough?" or are you ready to do your best?
Does God get the first and best of your life, or is He relegated to time, energy, and resources that are leftover when you've done the things you want to do? Consider that, disciple. Don't be one of those Christians who is content to just get by.
In the book of Malachi, there is a record of some priests who offered cheap offerings, who used inferior sacrifices. In response God said,
"A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! "But you ask, 'How have we ever shown contempt for your name?' "You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.
"Then you ask, 'How have we defiled the sacrifices?' "You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn't that wrong? And isn't it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!" says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. ... "How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, "and I will not accept your offerings. But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies."(Malachi 1:6-11, NLT)
Here's a word from the Word. Take it with you through this day.
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:9-11, NIV
In the Old Testament stories, excellence stands out again and again as a trait God commends.
Joseph was not only faithful through the years that he waited for the plans of God to take him from the prison to the palace. He also worked hard to do his best in every situation.
Daniel was taken from Jerusalem to serve an oppressor king in Babylonia as a slave. Did he slack and look for the easy way? Read the book. Here's how his reputation is summed up: "Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom." (Daniel 6:3, NIV)
We try to create a climate of excellence throughout our local congregation because God is worthy of our best efforts, not our leftovers! Here are a few examples.. and I could add more.
-I never approach the pulpit without extensive preparation of my mind and heart through prayer and study. God is listening to what I say and will hold me accountable on that Day for how I 'handled the Word of Truth.'
-Our grounds team mows the grass and tends the landscape with an eye towards honoring the Lord with a neat lawn!
-Our Christian School maintains high standards, not just to please parents. The team members there know that it is the Lord they serve, first and foremost. It shows!
-Our praise and worship team is devoted with a capital "D." They are on site early on Sunday morning, preparing themselves to lead us to worship of our God. They rehearse timing and strive for the right tone - why? Because they want to look good? Not so much. They know that what they do reflects on God, that if they fumble their way through a service with missed notes and bad timing, that many people will be distracted from focusing on the Lord. Our church is so accustomed to their high level of excellence, both musically and in the Spirit, that we often take it for granted!
How do you love Jesus Christ?
Are you just content to say, "that's good enough?" or are you ready to do your best?
Does God get the first and best of your life, or is He relegated to time, energy, and resources that are leftover when you've done the things you want to do? Consider that, disciple. Don't be one of those Christians who is content to just get by.
In the book of Malachi, there is a record of some priests who offered cheap offerings, who used inferior sacrifices. In response God said,
"A son honors his father, and a servant respects his master. If I am your father and master, where are the honor and respect I deserve? You have shown contempt for my name! "But you ask, 'How have we ever shown contempt for your name?' "You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar.
"Then you ask, 'How have we defiled the sacrifices?' "You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn't that wrong? And isn't it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!" says the Lord of Heaven's Armies. ... "How I wish one of you would shut the Temple doors so that these worthless sacrifices could not be offered! I am not pleased with you," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies, "and I will not accept your offerings. But my name is honored by people of other nations from morning till night. All around the world they offer sweet incense and pure offerings in honor of my name. For my name is great among the nations," says the Lord of Heaven's Armies."(Malachi 1:6-11, NLT)
Here's a word from the Word. Take it with you through this day.
"And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ-to the glory and praise of God." (Philippians 1:9-11, NIV
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Worthy and Noble
Are you a noble, worthy person? Let me clarify. Are you noted to be a person of truth, integrity, diligence, beauty of spirit, love, and grace? Or, are you a person of shaded meanings, filthy speech, laziness, and hostility? That is what I mean by 'noble.' One can be poor and be noble. A person need not have a certain bloodline to be of noble character. The transforming truth of the Gospel of Christ, coupled with the inner transformation of the Spirit, will produce a person who is truly a nobleman! Yet, often in our time, those who claim to be Christian are base, ignoble individuals. This should not be. There are few things that stir up my emotions like a pseudo-Christian! I hate the disgrace to the cause of Christ that comes when a person uses his religion as a 'cover up for evil.' (1 Peter 2:16)
Conversion is supposed to be exactly that - a profound change. All too often, Christianity is made into an ideal held up for admiration but considered impractical for daily living. This has been the curse of the faith since the beginning of the faith. Time and again the Word challenges a claim to belief without a corresponding change of practice. This is the sin of hypocrisy. Paul wrote to us saying "I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." (Ephesians 4:1, NLT)
Look at how the Word contrasts the nature, base life with the noble, spiritual one:
"People’s desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds. They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God’s kingdom.
God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways. And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires." (Galatians 5:19-24, CEV)
We must not make the mistake of attempting to live the 'life of the Spirit,' by our own will! To do so, will lead to great hypocrisy like that of the Pharisees, described by Jesus as "whitewashed tombs, full of dead men's bones." No amount of punishment, ethical challenge, or good intention can produce a Spirit-filled noble man of God. "So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, ... For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial ... You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, "Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!"? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires." (Colossians 2:16-23, NLT)
Augustine is quoted as saying, "Love God, and do as you please." He's right! Yes, he is much misunderstood, as some who claim to be disciples emphasize only the second half of his aphorism and descend into licentious behaviors which only further debase them. A noble life emerges when we love Him - with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Disciple, do you love Him? Does it show in a life that is worthy of your high calling? Here's my prayer for you and for me today. Pray it with me, won't you?
"We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." (Colossians 1:9-12, NIV)
__________________
Truehearted, wholehearted, faithful and loyal,
King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be;
Under the standard exalted and royal,
Strong in Thy strength we will battle for Thee.
Peal out the watchword! Silence it never!
Song of our spirits, rejoicing and free;
Peal out the watchword! Loyal forever!
King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be.
Wholehearted! Savior beloved and glorious,
Take Thy great power and reign Thou alone,
Over our wills and affections victorious—
Freely surrendered and wholly Thine own.
Frances Havergal - public domain
Conversion is supposed to be exactly that - a profound change. All too often, Christianity is made into an ideal held up for admiration but considered impractical for daily living. This has been the curse of the faith since the beginning of the faith. Time and again the Word challenges a claim to belief without a corresponding change of practice. This is the sin of hypocrisy. Paul wrote to us saying "I beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God." (Ephesians 4:1, NLT)
Look at how the Word contrasts the nature, base life with the noble, spiritual one:
"People’s desires make them give in to immoral ways, filthy thoughts, and shameful deeds. They worship idols, practice witchcraft, hate others, and are hard to get along with. People become jealous, angry, and selfish. They not only argue and cause trouble, but they are envious. They get drunk, carry on at wild parties, and do other evil things as well. I told you before, and I am telling you again: No one who does these things will share in the blessings of God’s kingdom.
God’s Spirit makes us loving, happy, peaceful, patient, kind, good, faithful, gentle, and self-controlled. There is no law against behaving in any of these ways. And because we belong to Christ Jesus, we have killed our selfish feelings and desires." (Galatians 5:19-24, CEV)
We must not make the mistake of attempting to live the 'life of the Spirit,' by our own will! To do so, will lead to great hypocrisy like that of the Pharisees, described by Jesus as "whitewashed tombs, full of dead men's bones." No amount of punishment, ethical challenge, or good intention can produce a Spirit-filled noble man of God. "So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, ... For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial ... You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, "Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!"? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them. These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires." (Colossians 2:16-23, NLT)
Augustine is quoted as saying, "Love God, and do as you please." He's right! Yes, he is much misunderstood, as some who claim to be disciples emphasize only the second half of his aphorism and descend into licentious behaviors which only further debase them. A noble life emerges when we love Him - with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength. Disciple, do you love Him? Does it show in a life that is worthy of your high calling? Here's my prayer for you and for me today. Pray it with me, won't you?
"We have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light." (Colossians 1:9-12, NIV)
__________________
Truehearted, wholehearted, faithful and loyal,
King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be;
Under the standard exalted and royal,
Strong in Thy strength we will battle for Thee.
Peal out the watchword! Silence it never!
Song of our spirits, rejoicing and free;
Peal out the watchword! Loyal forever!
King of our lives, by Thy grace we will be.
Wholehearted! Savior beloved and glorious,
Take Thy great power and reign Thou alone,
Over our wills and affections victorious—
Freely surrendered and wholly Thine own.
Frances Havergal - public domain
Monday, September 22, 2008
Let your light shine!
An admirable trait every disciple needs is steadiness. One of the best inventions of the last century was the electric light bulb. The lowly light bulb extends our working and enjoyment hours of each day by several hours, before and after sunset. Did you ever notice what happens to a light bulb just before it reaches the end of its life? Often it burns super-brightly for a few seconds and then, poof!- it falls dark as the filament breaks. The steady light that comes from a bulb is what we count on to read, to converse, to do our work. We don’t want flickering light. We don’t want flashes of light. We want a steady, bright glow.
As we represent Christ, we do so, in His words, as lights. In Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message) we read: "You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. ... I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand——shine! Steady, consistent, reflecting the Light of Jesus." In the Scripture, we are taught that there are many things that can put out the light in us, or make it dim.
We deal with ...
- the sinful nature that resists the work of the Spirit;
- world systems that oppose God’s ways; and
- the Devil who organizes evil!
Remember, it’s not the glow of our personality, the brilliance of our skills or intelligence, that gives the light. "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, NKJV)
How can we shine consistently, lighting the way for others? Walk in the Light!
"So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." (1 John 1:6-9, NLT)
So, disciple, shine brightly today. Choose wisely so that nothing dims the Light shining in you. Invite the Spirit to clear the lens of your life, wiping away the dirt of sin and Self. Keep focused on the Light. It’s about Jesus working in you, working through you, shining the Light in a dark world.
________________________
Lord, I come to Your awesome presence.
From the shadows into Your radiance;
By the blood I may enter Your brightness,
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine.
Fill this land with the Father's glory;
Blaze, Spirit, blaze.
Set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations
With grace and mercy;
Send forth Your Word,Lord,
and let there be light.
Shine, Jesus, Shine
Kendrick, Graham© 1987 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055
As we represent Christ, we do so, in His words, as lights. In Matthew 5:14-16 (The Message) we read: "You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. ... I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand——shine! Steady, consistent, reflecting the Light of Jesus." In the Scripture, we are taught that there are many things that can put out the light in us, or make it dim.
We deal with ...
- the sinful nature that resists the work of the Spirit;
- world systems that oppose God’s ways; and
- the Devil who organizes evil!
Remember, it’s not the glow of our personality, the brilliance of our skills or intelligence, that gives the light. "For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 4:6, NKJV)
How can we shine consistently, lighting the way for others? Walk in the Light!
"So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth. But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin.
If we claim we have no sin, we are only fooling ourselves and not living in the truth. But if we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness." (1 John 1:6-9, NLT)
So, disciple, shine brightly today. Choose wisely so that nothing dims the Light shining in you. Invite the Spirit to clear the lens of your life, wiping away the dirt of sin and Self. Keep focused on the Light. It’s about Jesus working in you, working through you, shining the Light in a dark world.
________________________
Lord, I come to Your awesome presence.
From the shadows into Your radiance;
By the blood I may enter Your brightness,
Search me, try me, consume all my darkness.
Shine on me, shine on me.
Shine, Jesus, shine.
Fill this land with the Father's glory;
Blaze, Spirit, blaze.
Set our hearts on fire.
Flow, river, flow, flood the nations
With grace and mercy;
Send forth Your Word,Lord,
and let there be light.
Shine, Jesus, Shine
Kendrick, Graham© 1987 Make Way Music (Admin. by Music Services)
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, September 19, 2008
Fitting in? With whom?
I love walking among students who are in their early teen years! They are not sophisticated enough to hide their feelings, but are old enough to act somewhat independently of their parents. The 'herd mentality' is fully evidenced by their imitation of the leader of the pack. Whatever she wears becomes 'the look' others attempt to copy. His words, even the tone of those words, becomes the pattern for his friends. Mass media now makes it possible for a single girl (at this moment think Miley Cyrus, a.k.a. - Hannah Montana) to become the model for millions. Her 'look' is the look if you're a 13 year old girl.
Of course, it is not just kids that want to fit in. Stop by the local law firm and see all the suits! And, there are always those who are non-conforming, who seek uniqueness by being completely different, which is still a kind of 'conformity!' If short hair is in, they go long. If formal dress is the norm, they wear the Hawaiian print shirt. They are still reacting to others, even in their 'difference.'
Disciples of Jesus Christ have a greater ideal! We who follow Him must wrestle with the innate need for peer approval and determine that we will serve Him. In John's gospel we read of some who wanted to follow Jesus but they were too afraid of the pressure of their friends. Take a look. "Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God." (John 12:42-43, NLT) The Word warns us that "The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that. " (Proverbs 29:25, The Message)
What is 'cool' with others changes. If we spend too much time looking around, measuring ourselves by how well we fit into contemporary standards, we will become slaves of fashions and fads, unable to serve or please God. That is why the Word tells us "Since God assured us, "I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6, The Message)
Pray that the Spirit of God will make you fearless in the face of criticism or peer pressure. Walk humbly before God and seek His approval. He will guide us to life that really matters, away from the superficiality of this present world and its changing standards. Here's a word from the Word. Let the wisdom found here go deep into your mind and heart today.
"Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
"Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven." (Matthew 10:28-33, NLT)
_____________________________
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Helen Lemmell © Public Domain
Of course, it is not just kids that want to fit in. Stop by the local law firm and see all the suits! And, there are always those who are non-conforming, who seek uniqueness by being completely different, which is still a kind of 'conformity!' If short hair is in, they go long. If formal dress is the norm, they wear the Hawaiian print shirt. They are still reacting to others, even in their 'difference.'
Disciples of Jesus Christ have a greater ideal! We who follow Him must wrestle with the innate need for peer approval and determine that we will serve Him. In John's gospel we read of some who wanted to follow Jesus but they were too afraid of the pressure of their friends. Take a look. "Many people did believe in him, however, including some of the Jewish leaders. But they wouldn’t admit it for fear that the Pharisees would expel them from the synagogue. For they loved human praise more than the praise of God." (John 12:42-43, NLT) The Word warns us that "The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in God protects you from that. " (Proverbs 29:25, The Message)
What is 'cool' with others changes. If we spend too much time looking around, measuring ourselves by how well we fit into contemporary standards, we will become slaves of fashions and fads, unable to serve or please God. That is why the Word tells us "Since God assured us, "I’ll never let you down, never walk off and leave you," we can boldly quote, God is there, ready to help; I’m fearless no matter what. Who or what can get to me?" (Hebrews 13:5-6, The Message)
Pray that the Spirit of God will make you fearless in the face of criticism or peer pressure. Walk humbly before God and seek His approval. He will guide us to life that really matters, away from the superficiality of this present world and its changing standards. Here's a word from the Word. Let the wisdom found here go deep into your mind and heart today.
"Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows.
"Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven." (Matthew 10:28-33, NLT)
_____________________________
Turn your eyes upon Jesus,
Look full in His wonderful face,
And the things of earth
Will grow strangely dim
In the light of His glory and grace.
Turn Your Eyes Upon Jesus
Helen Lemmell © Public Domain
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Fools despise discipline.
Our son, Sean, a teacher, called me a week or so ago to say, "Thanks, Dad, for finding the balance between love and fear, for instilling a healthy respect for authority in me when I was a child, and for teaching me about consequences for my actions." His thanks was prompted by his interaction with high school students who think that they are acting in their own best interest by ignoring authority and doing their own thing. When my sons and daughters were in my care, I wanted them to know they were loved and I knew they needed to be disciplined, no matter how much conflict or unhappiness it brought in the short term. We laugh today about one of my favorite parenting lines: "I'm not your best friend; I'm your father."
Which child is a happier person when they reach adulthood? Is it the one who is indulged and pampered who becomes a irresponsible person who thinks the world revolves around their needs, OR the one who is disciplined and knows how to show up for work, form lasting relationships with 'give and take,' and who knows the importance of following the rules? The disciplined one is the happier person for enjoys freedom that only comes to those who know self-control!
Discipline is a means to greater freedom and joy for God's children, too. When we practice spiritual disciplines, we are trained as 'athletes of God' and the well-conditioned soul is able to better respond to God's leading. Discipline gives us freedom from slavery to our appetites, the ability to choose. In the book of Hebrews we learn: "Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves.Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them.But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God." -- [12:11-12 The Message]
Those who live a disciplined life are often mocked by those whose lives are in lived in disarray under the guise of 'freedom.' "Why do you put so much emphasis on things like being on-time, keeping orderly records, picking up trash, etc.?" I am sometimes asked. The reason is that I find when the small things are tended and kept in order, the larger issues of life fall into place. For example, some people find filing their income tax a real chore. It takes me less than two hours every year. Why? Because I keep my financial records up to date and properly filed, on a weekly basis. Another example- a long, long time ago I committed myself to paying my bills on time and only spending money I had in hand. Now, because I am not swamped by credit card debt, I have less stress, pay very little interest to banks (other than my mortgage!) and can support the work of God with my tithe!
Do I always enjoy meeting deadlines, putting work over pleasure, mowing my lawn on a hot day, or polishing my shoes? Not any more than anyone else. But, I make those choices because I realize the freedom that discipline produces and I know that larger problems are less likely to develop tomorrow when the right choice is made today. Believers want to know God and to walk with Him in joyful freedom! I cannot recall ever having a discussion with a Christian who said, "Jerry, I just want to do the minimums, live spiritually on the edge, and squeak into Heaven by the razor edge of grace!" Yet, that is exactly where many live.
So how do we enter into the richness of God's glory here and now?
There are no 'magic pills' that will produce instantaneous or effortless spiritual health. There are choices to be made, disciplines to practiced. Start with small choices like:
- turning off the TV an hour earlier and going to bed so you canget up and have time to prayerfully meditate and take in some Scripture before rushing out the door to work;
-planning weekend activities with a high priority commitment tojoining in corporate worship every week;
-dealing with issues of the soul in their infancy rather thantrying to conquer them when they are engrained habits...
small choices that prepare us to receive God's grace in big ways.
One writer puts it this way: "Each of us becomes another Michelangelo, for choice is nothing other than the chisel we use to sculpt our life. The chisel doesn't come free, however, for the price of choice is responsibility. But when we accept and carry out our responsibility, the reward is great. The reward is happiness."
God has provided the means for freedom of choice by giving us salvation from sin, through the gracious gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Now, let us use that freedom to grow into Christians who live worthy of His investment in us.
_________________
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)
"If you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (James 1:25, NLT)
Which child is a happier person when they reach adulthood? Is it the one who is indulged and pampered who becomes a irresponsible person who thinks the world revolves around their needs, OR the one who is disciplined and knows how to show up for work, form lasting relationships with 'give and take,' and who knows the importance of following the rules? The disciplined one is the happier person for enjoys freedom that only comes to those who know self-control!
Discipline is a means to greater freedom and joy for God's children, too. When we practice spiritual disciplines, we are trained as 'athletes of God' and the well-conditioned soul is able to better respond to God's leading. Discipline gives us freedom from slavery to our appetites, the ability to choose. In the book of Hebrews we learn: "Only irresponsible parents leave children to fend for themselves.Would you prefer an irresponsible God? We respect our own parents for training and not spoiling us, so why not embrace God's training so we can truly live? While we were children, our parents did what seemed best to them.But God is doing what is best for us, training us to live God's holy best. At the time, discipline isn't much fun. It always feels like it's going against the grain. Later, of course, it pays off handsomely, for it's the well-trained who find themselves mature in their relationship with God." -- [12:11-12 The Message]
Those who live a disciplined life are often mocked by those whose lives are in lived in disarray under the guise of 'freedom.' "Why do you put so much emphasis on things like being on-time, keeping orderly records, picking up trash, etc.?" I am sometimes asked. The reason is that I find when the small things are tended and kept in order, the larger issues of life fall into place. For example, some people find filing their income tax a real chore. It takes me less than two hours every year. Why? Because I keep my financial records up to date and properly filed, on a weekly basis. Another example- a long, long time ago I committed myself to paying my bills on time and only spending money I had in hand. Now, because I am not swamped by credit card debt, I have less stress, pay very little interest to banks (other than my mortgage!) and can support the work of God with my tithe!
Do I always enjoy meeting deadlines, putting work over pleasure, mowing my lawn on a hot day, or polishing my shoes? Not any more than anyone else. But, I make those choices because I realize the freedom that discipline produces and I know that larger problems are less likely to develop tomorrow when the right choice is made today. Believers want to know God and to walk with Him in joyful freedom! I cannot recall ever having a discussion with a Christian who said, "Jerry, I just want to do the minimums, live spiritually on the edge, and squeak into Heaven by the razor edge of grace!" Yet, that is exactly where many live.
So how do we enter into the richness of God's glory here and now?
There are no 'magic pills' that will produce instantaneous or effortless spiritual health. There are choices to be made, disciplines to practiced. Start with small choices like:
- turning off the TV an hour earlier and going to bed so you canget up and have time to prayerfully meditate and take in some Scripture before rushing out the door to work;
-planning weekend activities with a high priority commitment tojoining in corporate worship every week;
-dealing with issues of the soul in their infancy rather thantrying to conquer them when they are engrained habits...
small choices that prepare us to receive God's grace in big ways.
One writer puts it this way: "Each of us becomes another Michelangelo, for choice is nothing other than the chisel we use to sculpt our life. The chisel doesn't come free, however, for the price of choice is responsibility. But when we accept and carry out our responsibility, the reward is great. The reward is happiness."
God has provided the means for freedom of choice by giving us salvation from sin, through the gracious gift of His Son, Jesus Christ. Now, let us use that freedom to grow into Christians who live worthy of His investment in us.
_________________
"The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline." (Proverbs 1:7, NIV)
"If you look carefully into the perfect law that sets you free, and if you do what it says and don't forget what you heard, then God will bless you for doing it." (James 1:25, NLT)
Love them all!
My senses were overwhelmed by the pungent odor surrounding the man standing in the hallway outside of my office. My eyes took note of the advanced state of decay of his teeth and his very dirty clothing. The inclination was to dismiss him as yet another beggar stopping by for a hand-out, to see him as a failed human being. It's so much easier to deal with human need by judging someone as 'lazy and therefore deserving of their situation,' than it is to love him and be drawn into his crisis. But, who am I to look down on this man? Do I know how or why he came to this state? Can I so quickly assume that it is just a flawed character or failure to make good choices? That may well be true. It might also be that he suffers from mental illness; that he was abused terribly as a child and is deeply emotionally scarred; that some life trauma left him unable to cope with life; or ....
Yes, life is far too complex to understand another human being in 30 seconds!
God judges and asks me to love! He alone sees the full context of another's life. I see but a small window of time. That is why Jesus says, "Don’t condemn others, and God won’t condemn you. God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them. You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye. How can you say, "My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye," when you don’t see the log in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:1-4, CEV) There are days when I fail miserably, when I am short-tempered, full of Self, in the grip of my sinful nature! But those days have a context within my whole life. Sometimes they come when I am weary from the struggle or overwhelmed with responsibilities. God does not suspend His expectations of me when life is hard, but neither does He dismiss me as a failure on the bad days! The Bible teaches me that He comes to me in those moments as my Comforter, my Advocate; Who "helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26, NIV)
Pray for grace to love them all;
the good, the bad;
the whole, the broken;
the clean, the dirty;
the together, the fragmented;
the beautiful, the marred.
It's costly to love those in need. Love will not allow us to turn from them or to blame them for their plight! Love will engage, hope, invest, and redeem. That's what love did for me. I am a debtor to grace, with no reason for pride! Here's a word from the Word. May it help us to love them all! "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:7-11, NIV)
_____________________________
I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more.
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me;
Now safe am I.
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Love lifted me.
Souls in danger, look above;
Jesus completely saves.
He will lift you by His love
Out of the angry waves.
He's the Master of the sea,
Billows His will obey.
He your Savior wants to be,
Be saved today.
Love Lifted Me
Howard E. Smith © Public Domain
Yes, life is far too complex to understand another human being in 30 seconds!
God judges and asks me to love! He alone sees the full context of another's life. I see but a small window of time. That is why Jesus says, "Don’t condemn others, and God won’t condemn you. God will be as hard on you as you are on others! He will treat you exactly as you treat them. You can see the speck in your friend’s eye, but you don’t notice the log in your own eye. How can you say, "My friend, let me take the speck out of your eye," when you don’t see the log in your own eye?" (Matthew 7:1-4, CEV) There are days when I fail miserably, when I am short-tempered, full of Self, in the grip of my sinful nature! But those days have a context within my whole life. Sometimes they come when I am weary from the struggle or overwhelmed with responsibilities. God does not suspend His expectations of me when life is hard, but neither does He dismiss me as a failure on the bad days! The Bible teaches me that He comes to me in those moments as my Comforter, my Advocate; Who "helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express." (Romans 8:26, NIV)
Pray for grace to love them all;
the good, the bad;
the whole, the broken;
the clean, the dirty;
the together, the fragmented;
the beautiful, the marred.
It's costly to love those in need. Love will not allow us to turn from them or to blame them for their plight! Love will engage, hope, invest, and redeem. That's what love did for me. I am a debtor to grace, with no reason for pride! Here's a word from the Word. May it help us to love them all! "Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another." (1 John 4:7-11, NIV)
_____________________________
I was sinking deep in sin,
Far from the peaceful shore,
Very deeply stained within,
Sinking to rise no more.
But the Master of the sea
Heard my despairing cry,
From the waters lifted me;
Now safe am I.
Love lifted me!
Love lifted me!
When nothing else could help,
Love lifted me.
Love lifted me.
Souls in danger, look above;
Jesus completely saves.
He will lift you by His love
Out of the angry waves.
He's the Master of the sea,
Billows His will obey.
He your Savior wants to be,
Be saved today.
Love Lifted Me
Howard E. Smith © Public Domain
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
"Lord, send me!"
When I was a little boy I loved when missionaries came to our church. They laid out pottery, animals skins, and hand-made tools from countries far away. They showed slides of churches in jungles full of people who looked so much different from me. And, they told amazing stories about fording raging rivers, holding great revivals, and the ways that God sent them just what they needed at the last minute! Somehow I began to think that missionaries were the really great Christians, God's Special Forces, with a higher calling than the rest of us. More than one Sunday night, during the prayer time that always ended the meetings, I told the Lord that if He wanted me in the jungle somewhere, I was ready to go. Those prayers, I realized as I grew older, reflected more of a child's romantic notions of adventure than a sense of Heaven's high calling!
I now know that God's calling doesn't start when a person boards a flight to Zimbabwe or Uzbekistan to be a missionary! People in desperate need live in my city. The work to bring Christ to them may not be as exotic, the stories not so dramatic; but the need is just as great. Familiarity can - and indeed often does - blind us to the spiritual poverty of our neighbors. Jesus once urged his disciples to take another look, with eyes that could see what was real-
"As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time! " (John 4:35, The Message)
Would He say the same to us, friend?
Would He urge us to take another look at our extended families, our next door neighbors, our fellow Americans taking note of their spiritual hunger?
Bringing the Gospel to our neighbors probably won't involve a big tent filled with half-naked kids, like the missionary's pictures showed. It isn't all that likely that we will have to cross flood-swollen rivers in a dug-out canoe to preach to a remote village or face the danger of a local chief's hostility! (Yep, I remember those stories like I heard them yesterday!) Our missions work will be done in the ordinary - praying faithfully for people to know Him, living a life that is remarkable for the beauty of His holiness, loving when unloved, maintaining hope when others are despairing.
America needs missionaries, and God is calling us to service. We are a nation is inundated with pornography, enslaved by greed, and deceived by pleasure worship. Our political system is broken, our justice system is failing, our prisons are overflowing; the poor grow poorer, the powerful oppress. Covenants are meaningless, churches are lifeless, religion is everywhere, but God is ignored even by many 'Christians.'
The words of an ancient prophet challenged me today. I pray they will stir you, take you to your knees, and cause you to report for duty in the service of the Lord.
"God's message came to me .. "Your priests violated my law and desecrated my holy things. They can’t tell the difference between sacred and secular. They tell people there’s no difference between right and wrong. They’re contemptuous of my holy Sabbaths, profaning me by trying to pull me down to their level. Your politicians are like wolves prowling and killing and rapaciously taking whatever they want. Your preachers cover up for the politicians by pretending to have received visions and special revelations. They say, "This is what God, the Master, says …" when God hasn’t said so much as one word. Extortion is rife, robbery is epidemic, the poor and needy are abused, outsiders are kicked around at will, with no access to justice.’
"I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn’t have to destroy it." - (Ezekiel 22:26-30, The Message)
He's looking for someone to 'stand in the gap.' Will you?
______________________________________
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Let my hands reach out to others
Touch through me.
There's a lonely soul somewhere
Needing just one friend to care.
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
My hands will be Your hands
Reaching out to others.
My lips will not be slothful,
Lord, to speak.
I will be that good Samaritan
To someone else in need.
I will be Your house to dwell in
Live through me.
Touch Through Me
Dottie Rambo © 1981 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)CCLI License No. 810055
I now know that God's calling doesn't start when a person boards a flight to Zimbabwe or Uzbekistan to be a missionary! People in desperate need live in my city. The work to bring Christ to them may not be as exotic, the stories not so dramatic; but the need is just as great. Familiarity can - and indeed often does - blind us to the spiritual poverty of our neighbors. Jesus once urged his disciples to take another look, with eyes that could see what was real-
"As you look around right now, wouldn’t you say that in about four months it will be time to harvest? Well, I’m telling you to open your eyes and take a good look at what’s right in front of you. These Samaritan fields are ripe. It’s harvest time! " (John 4:35, The Message)
Would He say the same to us, friend?
Would He urge us to take another look at our extended families, our next door neighbors, our fellow Americans taking note of their spiritual hunger?
Bringing the Gospel to our neighbors probably won't involve a big tent filled with half-naked kids, like the missionary's pictures showed. It isn't all that likely that we will have to cross flood-swollen rivers in a dug-out canoe to preach to a remote village or face the danger of a local chief's hostility! (Yep, I remember those stories like I heard them yesterday!) Our missions work will be done in the ordinary - praying faithfully for people to know Him, living a life that is remarkable for the beauty of His holiness, loving when unloved, maintaining hope when others are despairing.
America needs missionaries, and God is calling us to service. We are a nation is inundated with pornography, enslaved by greed, and deceived by pleasure worship. Our political system is broken, our justice system is failing, our prisons are overflowing; the poor grow poorer, the powerful oppress. Covenants are meaningless, churches are lifeless, religion is everywhere, but God is ignored even by many 'Christians.'
The words of an ancient prophet challenged me today. I pray they will stir you, take you to your knees, and cause you to report for duty in the service of the Lord.
"God's message came to me .. "Your priests violated my law and desecrated my holy things. They can’t tell the difference between sacred and secular. They tell people there’s no difference between right and wrong. They’re contemptuous of my holy Sabbaths, profaning me by trying to pull me down to their level. Your politicians are like wolves prowling and killing and rapaciously taking whatever they want. Your preachers cover up for the politicians by pretending to have received visions and special revelations. They say, "This is what God, the Master, says …" when God hasn’t said so much as one word. Extortion is rife, robbery is epidemic, the poor and needy are abused, outsiders are kicked around at will, with no access to justice.’
"I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn’t have to destroy it." - (Ezekiel 22:26-30, The Message)
He's looking for someone to 'stand in the gap.' Will you?
______________________________________
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Let my hands reach out to others
Touch through me.
There's a lonely soul somewhere
Needing just one friend to care.
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
My hands will be Your hands
Reaching out to others.
My lips will not be slothful,
Lord, to speak.
I will be that good Samaritan
To someone else in need.
I will be Your house to dwell in
Live through me.
Touch Through Me
Dottie Rambo © 1981 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)CCLI License No. 810055
Monday, September 15, 2008
The Adventure of this Day
Predictable, controlled - that's me! Surprise parties are not my thing. Unexpected guests raise my stress levels. Chaotic situations call a response from me to impose order or if that is not possible, to escape at the earliest opportunity. But the God I serve is not willing to submit Himself to my rules, my expectations, or my controls. Instead, He invites me to live the adventure that is His will. Who can really explain why God does what He does? When I read the story of Joseph and see the twists and turns of what some might call fate I realize that the Bible is very clear in communicating that God was in it all, even using the sins of others to accomplish His plan. He used scheming, jealous brothers to get Joseph from the sheep fields to Egypt. He used a wife looking for an affair to take Joseph from Potiphar's comfortable house to the Pharaoh's palace! Wasn't there another way, a less painful route for Joseph? Apparently not!
I am quite certain that God does not make anyone sin or do evil. The Bible says that "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone." (James 1:13, NIV) But, the mystery of faith compels me to believe that He is both aware of the evil and where it rises up, He is capable of using it to His purposes. This mystery is at the heart of the story of the Cross of Christ! An ugly method of torture, used by the Romans to impose order through terror on their far-flung empire, became the means that God used to offer up Himself for our sins. Evil men crucified Christ and, as they spilled His blood on the earth, love and life blossomed. Rational? Not really! It is revealed Truth, accepted by faith.
That said, I must emphasize that we are not fatalists, adrift in life, just making the best of a bad situation. The Lord calls us to work to build His kingdom, to defeat sin and evil wherever we find it. At the very same time, He works through suffering to make us more like Jesus. Our best response to life's unpredictability is to choose faith, childlike trust in Him.
Does that seem a daunting challenge? Know this: He does not ask you to muster up such faith on your own. The Spirit is actively helping you, right now, to stand. The Bible teaches us that "the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory." (Romans 8:26-30, NLT)
The following words were scratched into a wall of the Warsaw Ghetto by an unknown Jew during the Second World War. Death was all around. The face of God was obscured by terrible darkness. But, faith was there too. Take a look.
"I believe in the sun, even if it does not shine.
I believe in love even if I do not feel it.
I believe in God, even if I do not see Him."
Ask God this day for faith to walk the adventure that is life, without fear, boldly trusting Him to lead the way. Here's a word from the Word. I pray for this to nourish your soul as you receive it right now.
"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.. . . It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. . . .
By faith, Moses, when grown, refused the privileges of the Egyptian royal house. He chose a hard life with God’s people rather than an opportunistic soft life of sin with the oppressors. He valued suffering in the Messiah’s camp far greater than Egyptian wealth because he was looking ahead, anticipating the payoff." (Hebrews 11:1,6,24-26, The Message)
____________________________
Oh, lead me to the place where I can find You.
Oh, lead me to the place where You'll be.
Lead me to the cross where we first met,
Draw me to my knees so we can talk.
Let me feel Your breath,
Let me know You're here with me.
Oh, Lead Me
Martin Smith © 1994 Curious? Music UK (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
CCLI License No. 810055
I am quite certain that God does not make anyone sin or do evil. The Bible says that "God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone." (James 1:13, NIV) But, the mystery of faith compels me to believe that He is both aware of the evil and where it rises up, He is capable of using it to His purposes. This mystery is at the heart of the story of the Cross of Christ! An ugly method of torture, used by the Romans to impose order through terror on their far-flung empire, became the means that God used to offer up Himself for our sins. Evil men crucified Christ and, as they spilled His blood on the earth, love and life blossomed. Rational? Not really! It is revealed Truth, accepted by faith.
That said, I must emphasize that we are not fatalists, adrift in life, just making the best of a bad situation. The Lord calls us to work to build His kingdom, to defeat sin and evil wherever we find it. At the very same time, He works through suffering to make us more like Jesus. Our best response to life's unpredictability is to choose faith, childlike trust in Him.
Does that seem a daunting challenge? Know this: He does not ask you to muster up such faith on your own. The Spirit is actively helping you, right now, to stand. The Bible teaches us that "the Holy Spirit helps us in our weakness. For example, we don’t know what God wants us to pray for. But the Holy Spirit prays for us with groanings that cannot be expressed in words. And the Father who knows all hearts knows what the Spirit is saying, for the Spirit pleads for us believers in harmony with God’s own will. And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them. For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory." (Romans 8:26-30, NLT)
The following words were scratched into a wall of the Warsaw Ghetto by an unknown Jew during the Second World War. Death was all around. The face of God was obscured by terrible darkness. But, faith was there too. Take a look.
"I believe in the sun, even if it does not shine.
I believe in love even if I do not feel it.
I believe in God, even if I do not see Him."
Ask God this day for faith to walk the adventure that is life, without fear, boldly trusting Him to lead the way. Here's a word from the Word. I pray for this to nourish your soul as you receive it right now.
"The fundamental fact of existence is that this trust in God, this faith, is the firm foundation under everything that makes life worth living. It’s our handle on what we can’t see.. . . It’s impossible to please God apart from faith. And why? Because anyone who wants to approach God must believe both that he exists and that he cares enough to respond to those who seek him. . . .
By faith, Moses, when grown, refused the privileges of the Egyptian royal house. He chose a hard life with God’s people rather than an opportunistic soft life of sin with the oppressors. He valued suffering in the Messiah’s camp far greater than Egyptian wealth because he was looking ahead, anticipating the payoff." (Hebrews 11:1,6,24-26, The Message)
____________________________
Oh, lead me to the place where I can find You.
Oh, lead me to the place where You'll be.
Lead me to the cross where we first met,
Draw me to my knees so we can talk.
Let me feel Your breath,
Let me know You're here with me.
Oh, Lead Me
Martin Smith © 1994 Curious? Music UK (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, September 12, 2008
"Get Over Yourself!"
There are few things smaller than a person wrapped up in himself. I watched a grown man make a fool of himself recently over a cup of coffee. He badgered the kids at the Dunkin' counter three times because they didn't get it just right. ("You didn't add enough cream." New cup poured. "This tastes like it isn't fresh." Another new cup poured. "Did you put any sugar in it?" Sir, perhaps you could stir it or add some at the counter. He left making loud noises about the establishment and the 'idiots' that were employed there.) I felt shame for him, and regretfully remembered too many similar episodes from my own past. (Oh, Lord forgive me.) Yes, I sometimes get irritated when a server does not care enough to do a good job, too. But, I have learned that the stress that insisting that they 'get it right' usually outweighs going and adding some sugar myself.
Just yesterday, I contacted Dell support for an issue with my laptop. The tech determined that my computer wasn't properly registered to my company (huh?) and that before he could assist me, I would have to re-register it with Dell. There was a time when that kind of thing would have created enough anger in me to ruin the rest of the day. Yesterday, I simply told him (really, from my heart!) that I understood the limitations he was dealing with and thanked him for his help.... and promptly moved on, without giving it another thought. I know the rest of my day went better and I hope the rest of his did, too.
In our busy often depersonalized society it is a natural reaction to want to be treated with respect, to have those who are being paid to pour our coffee or fix our computer care about what they do. Rudeness and apathy abound, to be sure. But, the paradox is this: the more protective of our 'rights' that you and I become, the more angry and alienated we are likely to be. If we give up our demand to be served, begin to treat others as we want to be treated (didn't Jesus say something about that?) we release joy into our environment, a joy from which we benefit. And, when we are less stressed, we are better able to cope with the issues of life and sense the flow of God's Spirit in and around us.
Sooner or later, there will some situation that comes into your life that no amount of fussing, fuming, cussin', screaming, kicking, or even praying will change. If you're obsessed with having your way, you will only deepen your misery. So, why not just get over yourself, now? Why not dethrone Self and learn to live a life of love?
As you ponder this today, consider the words of Jesus. Pray for grace to put them into practice, from the smallest incidents to the really BIG issues. And, you will experience grace, peace, and joy; God's gifts to His children.
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do us a favor." "What is your request?" he asked.
They replied, "When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left."
But Jesus said to them, "You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?"
"Oh yes," they replied, "we are able!"
Then Jesus told them, "You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen."
When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. So Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:35-45, NLT)
Jesus, Others, You - what a wonderful way to spell - JOY!
Just yesterday, I contacted Dell support for an issue with my laptop. The tech determined that my computer wasn't properly registered to my company (huh?) and that before he could assist me, I would have to re-register it with Dell. There was a time when that kind of thing would have created enough anger in me to ruin the rest of the day. Yesterday, I simply told him (really, from my heart!) that I understood the limitations he was dealing with and thanked him for his help.... and promptly moved on, without giving it another thought. I know the rest of my day went better and I hope the rest of his did, too.
In our busy often depersonalized society it is a natural reaction to want to be treated with respect, to have those who are being paid to pour our coffee or fix our computer care about what they do. Rudeness and apathy abound, to be sure. But, the paradox is this: the more protective of our 'rights' that you and I become, the more angry and alienated we are likely to be. If we give up our demand to be served, begin to treat others as we want to be treated (didn't Jesus say something about that?) we release joy into our environment, a joy from which we benefit. And, when we are less stressed, we are better able to cope with the issues of life and sense the flow of God's Spirit in and around us.
Sooner or later, there will some situation that comes into your life that no amount of fussing, fuming, cussin', screaming, kicking, or even praying will change. If you're obsessed with having your way, you will only deepen your misery. So, why not just get over yourself, now? Why not dethrone Self and learn to live a life of love?
As you ponder this today, consider the words of Jesus. Pray for grace to put them into practice, from the smallest incidents to the really BIG issues. And, you will experience grace, peace, and joy; God's gifts to His children.
Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came over and spoke to him. "Teacher," they said, "we want you to do us a favor." "What is your request?" he asked.
They replied, "When you sit on your glorious throne, we want to sit in places of honor next to you, one on your right and the other on your left."
But Jesus said to them, "You don’t know what you are asking! Are you able to drink from the bitter cup of suffering I am about to drink? Are you able to be baptized with the baptism of suffering I must be baptized with?"
"Oh yes," they replied, "we are able!"
Then Jesus told them, "You will indeed drink from my bitter cup and be baptized with my baptism of suffering. But I have no right to say who will sit on my right or my left. God has prepared those places for the ones he has chosen."
When the ten other disciples heard what James and John had asked, they were indignant. So Jesus called them together and said, "You know that the rulers in this world lord it over their people, and officials flaunt their authority over those under them. But among you it will be different. Whoever wants to be a leader among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be the slave of everyone else. For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many." (Mark 10:35-45, NLT)
Jesus, Others, You - what a wonderful way to spell - JOY!
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Do YOU Remember?
Where were you seven years ago today?
Do you remember how you felt when you saw the images of flames shooting out of the twin towers and smoke ascending from the Pentagon? I remember!
And, I also remember the days that followed 9/11/01! I remember the courtesy in shopping lines, the open friendliness on the street, the time to talk and share and even cry. I remember the people that gathered in churches across these United States to pray and just to be together.
Then, once the crisis passed, America quickly returned to the old patterns. The God that we sought when desperate, was soon relegated to the back shelf, and wickedness increased all the more. Pleasure, sex, greed, and injustice became even more widespread. We are like ancient Rome demanding that our emperor bring us pleasure even as the culture collapses into greater depravity year by year.
I wonder what might have happened if genuine spiritual renewal had taken root broadly across the nation seven years ago, don't you?
Would the national economy be in tatters because of Wall Street greed, mortgages issued on flimsy hopes of continuing property value escalation, and a ruinous war debt?
Would we have continued to consume energy in ever bigger houses and cars, or would we have chosen a more sane route of increased supply and conservation that would have kept energy affordable for all?
Would the 2008 election debates be about how to take care of those in need of health care, how to assure the well-being of our increasingly aging population, and how to strengthen families that are the foundation of a solid, prosperous nation instead of silly debates about celebrity, moose hunting, and lipstick on pigs? (If you haven't been tuned for the last couple of days, you won't get that one!)
On the Sunday following the tragic events of 9/11/01, here's what I said across the pulpit. I think it's still worth saying, probably even more so today. My three major points that Sunday were: _______________________________
1. Jesus reminds us that turmoil and uncertainty will be a part of life, but we need not be PANICKED!
2. Take precautions to keep yourself from becoming spiritually dull because of excessive entanglement with the affairs of this transitory world.
3. Faithfulness is required. So, He calls us to "Be always on the watch... pray for strength...."
"The events of this week do not necessarily point to the imminent return of Christ, but they do remind us that we are soldiers on duty in the ongoing battle with evil. Our response? We must re-double our commitment to the cause of Christ. We need to hear these tragedies as a wake-up call to those who call themselves Believers. I thought of Jesus' words that are recorded in Revelation 3:14-21: (The Message) are particularly appropriate:
'Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God's Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God's creation, says: "I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot--far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.
Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.The people I love, I call to account--prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors! "Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.'
Has prosperity caused you to put God on life's back burner?
Has comfort caused you to treat God as irrelevant?
Jesus said that the kind of terrors that fell on us this week will be an occasion for true disciples to show their colors, to demonstrate the reality of the Gospel's transforming truth.
Friends and family will ask 'why' and look for hope. Don't give them platitudes or sensational prophecies, born in the fertile imaginations of TV preachers. Instead, tell them you too are amazed by the mysteries of God's plan, but that you are secure in the certainty of God's power to do all that He planned including keeping YOU spiritually safe.The Apostle Paul, sat on Death Row in Rome, and wrote: "I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. "
Answer those who ask the great 'what' questions with both words and actions.
What is the meaning of life?
What is our purpose?
We can explain that we live in a world filled with sin and men controlled by sinful human nature. We can, boldly declare, that those whose hope is fixed in this temporary world will always be disappointed and have a life without a solid foundation. When people are afraid, insecure and have shattered hope in mankind, we can use this as an opportunity to share the hope of Jesus Christ. But our words only have the ring of authenticity IF others see that they are WORDS WE LIVE BY.
Are you afraid? Take another look at the Word of God which tells us this world is passing away and all that is in it. Those who hope in the world will be troubled and distressed. We who hope in Christ have peace and our peace becomes a testimony to draw others to the solid Rock, Jesus Christ."
____________________________________
Though first spoken seven years, the message is still valid, disciple! Amen
Full text of that sermon can be read at http://www.washingtonag.com/whatnow.htm
Do you remember how you felt when you saw the images of flames shooting out of the twin towers and smoke ascending from the Pentagon? I remember!
And, I also remember the days that followed 9/11/01! I remember the courtesy in shopping lines, the open friendliness on the street, the time to talk and share and even cry. I remember the people that gathered in churches across these United States to pray and just to be together.
Then, once the crisis passed, America quickly returned to the old patterns. The God that we sought when desperate, was soon relegated to the back shelf, and wickedness increased all the more. Pleasure, sex, greed, and injustice became even more widespread. We are like ancient Rome demanding that our emperor bring us pleasure even as the culture collapses into greater depravity year by year.
I wonder what might have happened if genuine spiritual renewal had taken root broadly across the nation seven years ago, don't you?
Would the national economy be in tatters because of Wall Street greed, mortgages issued on flimsy hopes of continuing property value escalation, and a ruinous war debt?
Would we have continued to consume energy in ever bigger houses and cars, or would we have chosen a more sane route of increased supply and conservation that would have kept energy affordable for all?
Would the 2008 election debates be about how to take care of those in need of health care, how to assure the well-being of our increasingly aging population, and how to strengthen families that are the foundation of a solid, prosperous nation instead of silly debates about celebrity, moose hunting, and lipstick on pigs? (If you haven't been tuned for the last couple of days, you won't get that one!)
On the Sunday following the tragic events of 9/11/01, here's what I said across the pulpit. I think it's still worth saying, probably even more so today. My three major points that Sunday were: _______________________________
1. Jesus reminds us that turmoil and uncertainty will be a part of life, but we need not be PANICKED!
2. Take precautions to keep yourself from becoming spiritually dull because of excessive entanglement with the affairs of this transitory world.
3. Faithfulness is required. So, He calls us to "Be always on the watch... pray for strength...."
"The events of this week do not necessarily point to the imminent return of Christ, but they do remind us that we are soldiers on duty in the ongoing battle with evil. Our response? We must re-double our commitment to the cause of Christ. We need to hear these tragedies as a wake-up call to those who call themselves Believers. I thought of Jesus' words that are recorded in Revelation 3:14-21: (The Message) are particularly appropriate:
'Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God's Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God's creation, says: "I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You're not cold, you're not hot--far better to be either cold or hot! You're stale. You're stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, 'I'm rich, I've got it made, I need nothing from anyone,' oblivious that in fact you're a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and homeless.
Here's what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that's been through the refiner's fire. Then you'll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You've gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see.The people I love, I call to account--prod and correct and guide so that they'll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God!
Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I'll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That's my gift to the conquerors! "Are your ears awake? Listen. Listen to the Wind Words, the Spirit blowing through the churches.'
Has prosperity caused you to put God on life's back burner?
Has comfort caused you to treat God as irrelevant?
Jesus said that the kind of terrors that fell on us this week will be an occasion for true disciples to show their colors, to demonstrate the reality of the Gospel's transforming truth.
Friends and family will ask 'why' and look for hope. Don't give them platitudes or sensational prophecies, born in the fertile imaginations of TV preachers. Instead, tell them you too are amazed by the mysteries of God's plan, but that you are secure in the certainty of God's power to do all that He planned including keeping YOU spiritually safe.The Apostle Paul, sat on Death Row in Rome, and wrote: "I am not ashamed, because I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day. "
Answer those who ask the great 'what' questions with both words and actions.
What is the meaning of life?
What is our purpose?
We can explain that we live in a world filled with sin and men controlled by sinful human nature. We can, boldly declare, that those whose hope is fixed in this temporary world will always be disappointed and have a life without a solid foundation. When people are afraid, insecure and have shattered hope in mankind, we can use this as an opportunity to share the hope of Jesus Christ. But our words only have the ring of authenticity IF others see that they are WORDS WE LIVE BY.
Are you afraid? Take another look at the Word of God which tells us this world is passing away and all that is in it. Those who hope in the world will be troubled and distressed. We who hope in Christ have peace and our peace becomes a testimony to draw others to the solid Rock, Jesus Christ."
____________________________________
Though first spoken seven years, the message is still valid, disciple! Amen
Full text of that sermon can be read at http://www.washingtonag.com/whatnow.htm
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
"Satan hindered us!"
In both politics and preaching, I despise fear-mongering! So, I promise you that this TFTD is not an exercise in fear-mongering. It is a reminder of the reality of the Adversary who is active in his pursuit of the destruction, where possible, of God's work in this world!
An article crossed my desk yesterday about yet another pastor who succumbed to sexual sin, whose ministry was wrecked. The writer said that the usual response is to attempt to put such sad and sordid episodes behind us as quickly as possible, trying to forget they ever happened. He suggested a different response - "I want to put it on a twenty-by-twenty foot plasma screen in high definition for every set of eyes." What's up with that? Is he some kind of voyeur? Does he take a perverse interest in such sin? Not at all. He explains that he wants disciples to understand that there is a real Satan, who is very evil, who seeks to destroy them if given the slightest opportunity.
We, who belong to Jesus Christ and who are committed to His cause, must find the proper balance between real respect for our Adversary without falling into terror. A serious student of the Scripture comes to understand that the devil is not imaginary or a shadow in our psyche!
That said, we must not marginalize the devil to such an extent that we become unaware of his schemes so that we become a pawn in his plans. The Word tells us that we must not "unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!" (2 Corinthians 2:11, The Message) Paul, in one of his letters, asserts that devil continues to exploit every opportunity he can find. He wrote, "Brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us." (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18, NKJV)
The trumpet of Truth sounds out loudly with this great assurance, however. "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4, NIV)
So, disciple, retain a healthy respect for the adversary, but never cower in fear before him. "Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13, NIV)
How can we keep our confidence and be found faithful until the end?
First, we put our full confidence in Christ Jesus, our Savior, not on our skill, experience, or intelligence.
Second, we learn the Scripture and let the Truth set us free!
Third, we say the same thing about sin that God says. We don't excuse it. We don't allow ourselves to put a veneer of acceptability on anything offensive word or action.
Fourth, we walk in obedience right now! Dealing with temptation by dying to self is so much easier than cleaning up the mess that results from falling into sin.
Fifth, we forgive constantly so that no bitterness finds root in our heart to produce evil fruit!
And, we live prayerfully before God's Throne, so that the Spirit fills us, anew, each day.
____________________________
Come, Thou Almighty King.
Help us Thy name to sing.
Help us to praise.
Father, all glorious,
O'er all victorious.
Come and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.
Come, Thou Incarnate Word,
Gird on Thy mighty sword,
Our prayer attend.
Come, and Thy people bless,
And give Thy Word success.
Spirit of holiness,
On us descend.
Come, Holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
In this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art,
Now rule in every heart;
And ne'er from us depart,
Spirit of power.
O Lord, our God, to Thee
The highest praises be,
Hence, evermore;
Thy sov'reign majesty
May we in glory see,
And to eternity
Love and adore.
Charles Wesley
© Public Domain
An article crossed my desk yesterday about yet another pastor who succumbed to sexual sin, whose ministry was wrecked. The writer said that the usual response is to attempt to put such sad and sordid episodes behind us as quickly as possible, trying to forget they ever happened. He suggested a different response - "I want to put it on a twenty-by-twenty foot plasma screen in high definition for every set of eyes." What's up with that? Is he some kind of voyeur? Does he take a perverse interest in such sin? Not at all. He explains that he wants disciples to understand that there is a real Satan, who is very evil, who seeks to destroy them if given the slightest opportunity.
We, who belong to Jesus Christ and who are committed to His cause, must find the proper balance between real respect for our Adversary without falling into terror. A serious student of the Scripture comes to understand that the devil is not imaginary or a shadow in our psyche!
- Jesus variously describes him as "the prince of this world," "a murderer," and as "a liar and the father of lies."
- Paul calls him "the god of this age."
- Peter uses a powerful metaphor saying he is "a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."
- John, with bright, bold strokes, reveals his diabolical nature and plans in the book of the Revelation.
That said, we must not marginalize the devil to such an extent that we become unaware of his schemes so that we become a pawn in his plans. The Word tells us that we must not "unwittingly give Satan an opening for yet more mischief—we’re not oblivious to his sly ways!" (2 Corinthians 2:11, The Message) Paul, in one of his letters, asserts that devil continues to exploit every opportunity he can find. He wrote, "Brethren, having been taken away from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored more eagerly to see your face with great desire. Therefore we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us." (1 Thessalonians 2:17-18, NKJV)
The trumpet of Truth sounds out loudly with this great assurance, however. "You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world." (1 John 4:4, NIV)
So, disciple, retain a healthy respect for the adversary, but never cower in fear before him. "Put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand." (Ephesians 6:13, NIV)
How can we keep our confidence and be found faithful until the end?
First, we put our full confidence in Christ Jesus, our Savior, not on our skill, experience, or intelligence.
Second, we learn the Scripture and let the Truth set us free!
Third, we say the same thing about sin that God says. We don't excuse it. We don't allow ourselves to put a veneer of acceptability on anything offensive word or action.
Fourth, we walk in obedience right now! Dealing with temptation by dying to self is so much easier than cleaning up the mess that results from falling into sin.
Fifth, we forgive constantly so that no bitterness finds root in our heart to produce evil fruit!
And, we live prayerfully before God's Throne, so that the Spirit fills us, anew, each day.
____________________________
Come, Thou Almighty King.
Help us Thy name to sing.
Help us to praise.
Father, all glorious,
O'er all victorious.
Come and reign over us,
Ancient of Days.
Come, Thou Incarnate Word,
Gird on Thy mighty sword,
Our prayer attend.
Come, and Thy people bless,
And give Thy Word success.
Spirit of holiness,
On us descend.
Come, Holy Comforter,
Thy sacred witness bear
In this glad hour.
Thou who almighty art,
Now rule in every heart;
And ne'er from us depart,
Spirit of power.
O Lord, our God, to Thee
The highest praises be,
Hence, evermore;
Thy sov'reign majesty
May we in glory see,
And to eternity
Love and adore.
Charles Wesley
© Public Domain
Monday, September 08, 2008
In a little while...
I awakened this morning 'round 4 to go and be with my Dad at his bedside. He said, "Sit down. Pick up my Bible and take out those folded papers." There, in 16 pages of long-hand script, was a sermon he had written in March, 1992 titled- "God's Little Whiles." In an amazing 'coincidence' God used a 16 year old sermon to comfort my Dad in the middle of the night. He doesn't know how those papers came to be in that Bible, nor how that particular old Bible ended up by his bed. But, in His sovereignty, God brought an old sermon to Dad's attention, allowing him to preach a word of encouragement to himself during this of dealing with confinement and cancer!
Dad had written about the disciples whom Jesus told to wait through the dark time surrounding His death, a time when God was accomplishing the great work of atonement, through terrible suffering at the Cross. It was a message built around a text from John 16:16 (KJV) words spoken on the night of the Last Supper. "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father." Those men were about to enter into a 'little while' when they would find God's plan incomprehensible. Dad's points in that sermon were -
A. Listen to what God says.
B. Trust His Word. And,
C. Exercise persistence as you cling to His Word.
Every parent says to their children, at one time or another, "We will get to do that in a little while. Other things have to be accomplished first, then we can do what you desire." Then, that parent gets busy or they forget and that 'little while' stretches into an hour, or a day, and the child wonders about the probability of the promise. I've been on both sides of that deal! I remember waiting for little whiles that seemed to never end, and I remember my own children saying, "Dad, is it time yet? Are you ready to do what you said you would do?"
Disciple, as you anticipate the challenges of this new week, there are likely some situations where God's perfect plan is in the process of being worked out. It may be that you are wondering what God is doing, why He's taking so long, or even if He's forgotten a promise He made to you. Take a lesson from the text "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father."
Then, wait with a listening ear, with a trusting heart, and in patient persistence of faith. God's 'little whiles' do stretch on for us, but we need to keep in mind that His clock ticks so differently from ours. He has no urgency for "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8, KJV)
_______________________
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray;
Take all my guilt away.
Oh let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire.
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh may my love to Thee
Pure, warm and changeless be,
A living fire.
While life's dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread
Be Thou my Guide.
Bid darkness turn to day;
Wipe sorrow's tears away;
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside!
When ends life's transient dream,
When death's cold sullen stream
Shall o'er me roll,
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove.
Oh bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul.
My Faith Looks Up To Thee
© Public Domain
Dad had written about the disciples whom Jesus told to wait through the dark time surrounding His death, a time when God was accomplishing the great work of atonement, through terrible suffering at the Cross. It was a message built around a text from John 16:16 (KJV) words spoken on the night of the Last Supper. "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father." Those men were about to enter into a 'little while' when they would find God's plan incomprehensible. Dad's points in that sermon were -
A. Listen to what God says.
B. Trust His Word. And,
C. Exercise persistence as you cling to His Word.
Every parent says to their children, at one time or another, "We will get to do that in a little while. Other things have to be accomplished first, then we can do what you desire." Then, that parent gets busy or they forget and that 'little while' stretches into an hour, or a day, and the child wonders about the probability of the promise. I've been on both sides of that deal! I remember waiting for little whiles that seemed to never end, and I remember my own children saying, "Dad, is it time yet? Are you ready to do what you said you would do?"
Disciple, as you anticipate the challenges of this new week, there are likely some situations where God's perfect plan is in the process of being worked out. It may be that you are wondering what God is doing, why He's taking so long, or even if He's forgotten a promise He made to you. Take a lesson from the text "A little while, and ye shall not see me: and again, a little while, and ye shall see me, because I go to the Father."
Then, wait with a listening ear, with a trusting heart, and in patient persistence of faith. God's 'little whiles' do stretch on for us, but we need to keep in mind that His clock ticks so differently from ours. He has no urgency for "one day is with the Lord as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." (2 Peter 3:8, KJV)
_______________________
My faith looks up to Thee,
Thou Lamb of Calvary,Savior divine!
Now hear me while I pray;
Take all my guilt away.
Oh let me from this day
Be wholly Thine!
May Thy rich grace impart
Strength to my fainting heart,
My zeal inspire.
As Thou hast died for me,
Oh may my love to Thee
Pure, warm and changeless be,
A living fire.
While life's dark maze I tread,
And griefs around me spread
Be Thou my Guide.
Bid darkness turn to day;
Wipe sorrow's tears away;
Nor let me ever stray
From Thee aside!
When ends life's transient dream,
When death's cold sullen stream
Shall o'er me roll,
Blest Savior, then in love,
Fear and distrust remove.
Oh bear me safe above,
A ransomed soul.
My Faith Looks Up To Thee
© Public Domain
Friday, September 05, 2008
Prepared to live, or just to die?
99% of the time I love my vocation which is to serve a local congregation as their pastor. Nobody has to bribe me to get me to work. No one has to threaten me to get me to produce. If I could, I would do what I do without being paid. Why? Because my heart is in this; it's my life. I believe in the Church, that she holds the key to making a better world and the answer to the spiritual hunger of every human being. I have a passion for the Gospel of Christ. If you talk with me for more than a few moments, you're going to hear about two things- my family and the church! Because those loves are deep in my heart, they surface quickly in my conversation. By way of contrast. I know many who dread going to work every morning, dragging their feet all the way and living for the weekend. They work just for the money! I do hope that your daily work is about something you love and believe in, but that's not the main point of this TFTD.
- Why are you a Christian?
- How do you serve Christ and His kingdom?
Some people's Christianity is primarily focused on getting to Heaven and keeping out of trouble with God. Dallas Willard says, "Some Christians are better prepared to die than they are to live!" Their faith is not shaped around loving Jesus Christ nor do they really have a heart-deep conviction that the purpose of life is found in knowing Jesus. But they do believe that Eternity is real and that God exists so.... they participate in Christianity at a minimal level hoping to appease God and escape Judgment. The tragic truth about this kind of spirituality is that it robs that person of joy in both worlds! They do not get to enjoy making money, seeking pleasure, and feeding their sensual appetites because they afraid of offending the Lord, and they don't enjoy a close walk with the Spirit of God because they are unwilling to completely surrender to Him.
More than once I have counseled with those who are torn between the desire to do their own thing and their knowledge of God's way. They try desperately to keep a foot in each world, living sinfully and sensually and then pleading with God for forgiveness. The roller coaster of guilt and relief nearly drives them mad! My advice is simple - "Choose now!" Get your heart into one place or the other, but do not attempt to straddle the fence! That's what Joshua advised the nation of Israel, too. “Honor the Lord and serve him wholeheartedly. Put away forever the idols your ancestors worshiped when they lived beyond the Euphrates River and in Egypt. Serve the Lord alone. But if you are unwilling to serve the Lord, then choose today whom you will serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and my family, we will serve the Lord.”" (Joshua 24:14-15, NLT)
This challenge to choose is one that recurs again and again in the Bible. Moses, in his final address to Israel, laid out the 'blessings' and 'curses.' That sermon which is recorded in the ending chapters of Deuteronomy are an interesting study in choice and consequence! Elijah stood before the king and leaders of Israel at Mt. Carmel and threw down this challenge - “How long are you going to sit on the fence? If God is the real God, follow him; if it’s Baal (a god worshipped by the Canaanite people), follow him. Make up your minds!” (1 Kings 18:21, The Message)
Believer, get your heart into it. Choose God. Make Him first - in your affections, in your priorities of time use, in your finances. Love for God is not just about warm, fuzzy emotions that we feel in those occasional times of high worship, or at a beautiful sunset, or... whatever. Love for God is about our daily choices. Our hearts will follow our choice. IF we choose Him, place our affections on Him, we will find great joy in the offering of ourselves. His love will grow in us.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today - Jesus says, “Look! Here I stand at the door and knock. If you hear me calling and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal as friends." (Revelation 3:20, NLT) What's your choice?
__________________________
This is the air I breathe,
This is the air I breathe,
Your Holy Presence living in me.
This is my Daily Bread,
This is my Daily Bread,
Your very word spoken to me.
And I, I'm desp'rate for You.
And I, I'm lost without You.
© 1995 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing (Admin. by Music Services) CCLI License No. 810055
Thursday, September 04, 2008
Great Christians are not accidents!
There is a misconception widespread that becoming a disciple whose life is filled with the character of Jesus Christ is something that just sort of happens if you happen to be fortunate (blessed?) enough to have the right kind of parents and the right kind of church. Then, too, we seem to believe that failure and moral collapse results from some kind of bad luck, too. We speak of someone 'falling into sin' as though we have no idea how or why it happened, as though it is a a fluke of fate. You can become a great Christian, or you can hang around sin until you fall. It's your choice!
Some of you are saying, "Wait a minute, Jerry, you sound like you're suggesting we can save ourselves." No, I'm not! God, the Holy Spirit, is our life and Christ Jesus the One who has reconciled us to our Heavenly Father. My point is that we are not passive, waiting around for the character of Christ to emerge in us. We are called to be active in a process of spiritual formation, that is practicing the disciplines of life that allow the character of Christ to grow in us replacing the power of sin over us. Richard Foster and Dallas Willard have taught at length on this subject. Willard writes, "Spiritual formation does not aim at controlling action." (The Great Omission, 2006, Harper Row) He goes on to point out that Christianity is not a 12 step group where we rehearse our failures and try to do better. Nor are we rigid rule-keepers that force a veneer of spirituality into place over a heart full of ugly sins and lusts. We enter joyfully into a process of transformation by loving Jesus Christ actively and change from the inside out.
God gives us the tools required for change. First among them, the Scripture's Truth. "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." (Joshua 1:8, NLT) Want to know why so many disciples are so wobbly weak, so inconsistent, so unreliable? They are on a spiritual starvation diet! They know the TV schedule better than they know the Bible. They can recite sports stats with passion but have no working knowledge of the Scripture or what it means! That word, "meditate" is very instructive when we explore the Hebrew root for it. It is alternately translated with these words: "growl, utter, muse, and mutter!" The Scripture needs to be so woven into our mind, so tangled in the thoughts of our heart, that every situation that arises causes us to mutter a passage in ourselves. When we find ourselves ready to judge, our spirit mutters, "Judge not!" When we find ourselves lusting after sex or material possessions, our spirit mutters "Flee youth lusts. Love not the things of this world."
Those who own the Scripture, need not haul out their Bible at every moment, for the Truth is at work within them. "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. ... Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:11,105, NIV)
Read the Gospels with an open heart and you will find much in the words of our Lord Jesus about intentionality.
"Choose to love right things," He says. "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:20-21, NIV)
"Live in humility and serve another," He says. "When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet." (John 13:12-14, NIV) Do you see the importance of daily choices? A great Christian becomes so not by accident but by pursuit of the Holy One, by pressing to stand near to His Lord, and putting the sinful nature to death by the power of God. A Christian who 'falls into sin' does so because the rot in his heart finally works through to the surface. Jesus says it clearly: "You are a bunch of evil snakes, so how can you say anything good? Your words show what is in your hearts. Good people bring good things out of their hearts, but evil people bring evil things out of their hearts." (Matthew 12:34-35, CEV)
So, we present ourselves to God. We learn the Truth and the Spirit reveals it to us. We engage with Him, letting Self die and the Spirit rule. We choose to learn, to serve, to pray, to love, to forgive, to give ... whatever He asks ... and we do so without complaint. That is the process by which God grows great Christians, and others seeing the quality of our lives give Him praise.
___________________
I am Thine O Lord; I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me.
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Consecrate me now to Thy service Lord,
By the power of grace divine.
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord.
To Thy precious bleeding side.
Oh the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer and with Thee my God,
I commune as friend with friend!
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
I Am Thine, O Lord
Fanny J. Crosby © Public Domain
Some of you are saying, "Wait a minute, Jerry, you sound like you're suggesting we can save ourselves." No, I'm not! God, the Holy Spirit, is our life and Christ Jesus the One who has reconciled us to our Heavenly Father. My point is that we are not passive, waiting around for the character of Christ to emerge in us. We are called to be active in a process of spiritual formation, that is practicing the disciplines of life that allow the character of Christ to grow in us replacing the power of sin over us. Richard Foster and Dallas Willard have taught at length on this subject. Willard writes, "Spiritual formation does not aim at controlling action." (The Great Omission, 2006, Harper Row) He goes on to point out that Christianity is not a 12 step group where we rehearse our failures and try to do better. Nor are we rigid rule-keepers that force a veneer of spirituality into place over a heart full of ugly sins and lusts. We enter joyfully into a process of transformation by loving Jesus Christ actively and change from the inside out.
God gives us the tools required for change. First among them, the Scripture's Truth. "Study this Book of Instruction continually. Meditate on it day and night so you will be sure to obey everything written in it. Only then will you prosper and succeed in all you do." (Joshua 1:8, NLT) Want to know why so many disciples are so wobbly weak, so inconsistent, so unreliable? They are on a spiritual starvation diet! They know the TV schedule better than they know the Bible. They can recite sports stats with passion but have no working knowledge of the Scripture or what it means! That word, "meditate" is very instructive when we explore the Hebrew root for it. It is alternately translated with these words: "growl, utter, muse, and mutter!" The Scripture needs to be so woven into our mind, so tangled in the thoughts of our heart, that every situation that arises causes us to mutter a passage in ourselves. When we find ourselves ready to judge, our spirit mutters, "Judge not!" When we find ourselves lusting after sex or material possessions, our spirit mutters "Flee youth lusts. Love not the things of this world."
Those who own the Scripture, need not haul out their Bible at every moment, for the Truth is at work within them. "I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. ... Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path." (Psalm 119:11,105, NIV)
Read the Gospels with an open heart and you will find much in the words of our Lord Jesus about intentionality.
"Choose to love right things," He says. "Store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Matthew 6:20-21, NIV)
"Live in humility and serve another," He says. "When he had finished washing their feet, he put on his clothes and returned to his place. "Do you understand what I have done for you?" he asked them. "You call me ‘Teacher’ and ‘Lord,’ and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another’s feet." (John 13:12-14, NIV) Do you see the importance of daily choices? A great Christian becomes so not by accident but by pursuit of the Holy One, by pressing to stand near to His Lord, and putting the sinful nature to death by the power of God. A Christian who 'falls into sin' does so because the rot in his heart finally works through to the surface. Jesus says it clearly: "You are a bunch of evil snakes, so how can you say anything good? Your words show what is in your hearts. Good people bring good things out of their hearts, but evil people bring evil things out of their hearts." (Matthew 12:34-35, CEV)
So, we present ourselves to God. We learn the Truth and the Spirit reveals it to us. We engage with Him, letting Self die and the Spirit rule. We choose to learn, to serve, to pray, to love, to forgive, to give ... whatever He asks ... and we do so without complaint. That is the process by which God grows great Christians, and others seeing the quality of our lives give Him praise.
___________________
I am Thine O Lord; I have heard Thy voice,
And it told Thy love to me.
But I long to rise in the arms of faith,
And be closer drawn to Thee.
Consecrate me now to Thy service Lord,
By the power of grace divine.
Let my soul look up with a steadfast hope,
And my will be lost in Thine.
Draw me nearer, nearer blessed Lord,
To the cross where Thou hast died.
Draw me nearer, nearer, nearer blessed Lord.
To Thy precious bleeding side.
Oh the pure delight of a single hour
That before Thy throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer and with Thee my God,
I commune as friend with friend!
There are depths of love that I cannot know
Till I cross the narrow sea;
There are heights of joy that I may not reach
Till I rest in peace with Thee.
I Am Thine, O Lord
Fanny J. Crosby © Public Domain
Wednesday, September 03, 2008
Got Discernment?
The Pentecostal/Charismatic wing of Christianity, of which I am part both by experience and doctrinal persuasion, is plagued by a major lack of discernment on the part of many who claim to be 'Spirit-filled.' The hunger for the 'supernatural' causes otherwise intelligent people to ignore major warnings, to run all the caution lights, as they chase after the revelations and revivals of one false prophet after another. With tiresome regularity, these men are revealed to be traversing the road of heresy, or perversion, or greed. Jude, who saw the same kind of men in the church in the first century, described them as "shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted-twice dead. They are wild waves of the sea, foaming up their shame; wandering stars, for whom blackest darkness has been reserved forever." (Jude 12-13, NIV)
The latest discernment failures were in Orlando, Florida where Todd Bentley held forth night after night telling myriad unbelievable stories of 'supernatural' occurences to crowds who drank up his words without filters or questions. In one incident, a homeless man was alleged to have put his shoes into the offering plate, whereupon "God" was purported to have rained currency from the ceiling! The person who told me that story nearly wept with joy while I just wanted to cry at such gullibility! Then, two weeks ago the world learned that while Bentley was supposedly communing with angels in his hotel room, he was consorting with a female other than his wife. Here is the confirmed story.
real discipleship is about daily choices, made in the context of life with family, friends, and neighbors. No amount of emotionalism, laying claim to fiery experiences of the 'Spirit,' singing of praise songs until a 'spiritual trance' is induced, or other excesses will make you a better disciple or give you greater power in the Kingdom.
Real power in God's work is found in holy obedience, steady endurance, and the quietly transformed life that results from a daily walk with Jesus. It's not about having a spiritual party (what many church gathering are coming to resemble) or 'getting blessed!' The life that honors Christ and really makes a difference for the Kingdom is one in which we realize the importance of being faithful, of honoring commitments, of going to work, of good stewardship of money and possessions, of governing our passions, of getting on our knees whether you feel like it or not.
There are no short-cuts to spiritual depth and authority and victory. Maturity, which brings intimacy with God, humility, and steadiness; cannot be found in a single revival experience, in a book, or in a story that makes you weep. It comes in God's school of character where we choose, daily, our way or His.
Here's a word from the Word. Let it soak into your mind and heart, then pray for the Spirit to take you past emotionalism, past the craving of your sinful nature, and into the deep holiness of God which is beautiful, fulfilling, and defeats the Enemy's schemes.
"No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love-like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
And so I insist-and God backs me up on this-that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.
But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything-and I do mean everything-connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life-a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you." -
Ephesians 4:14-24, The Message
The latest discernment failures were in Orlando, Florida where Todd Bentley held forth night after night telling myriad unbelievable stories of 'supernatural' occurences to crowds who drank up his words without filters or questions. In one incident, a homeless man was alleged to have put his shoes into the offering plate, whereupon "God" was purported to have rained currency from the ceiling! The person who told me that story nearly wept with joy while I just wanted to cry at such gullibility! Then, two weeks ago the world learned that while Bentley was supposedly communing with angels in his hotel room, he was consorting with a female other than his wife. Here is the confirmed story.
- Evangelist Bentley Stepping Down- Allie Martin
Todd Bentley will step down as head of Fresh Fire Ministries, after the ministry revealed he had an "unhealthy relationship" with a female staffer. That announcement comes one week after Bentley's ministry announced he and his wife were separating. The announcement from the board of directors acknowledged that Bentley had an "unhealthy relationship" on an emotional level with the female staff member. Bentley is best known for leading a series of public meetings in Florida since April that have attracted around 300,000 people to churches and a baseball stadium. The Canadian evangelist will also cease all public meetings, including a 38-city stadium tour of U.S. cities.
In a recent article in Charisma magazine on the meetings, editor Lee Grady said many of those who defended Bentley displayed a "lack of discernment," in part because of a "raw zeal for God." Grady also pointed out that Bentley had serious credibility issues from the beginning of the meetings, claiming to have talked to an angel in his hotel room, and bragging about tackling a man and knocking his tooth out during prayer. "Many of us would rather watch a noisy demonstration of miracles, signs, and wonders than have a quiet Bible study," the Christian journalist wrote. "Our adolescent craving for he wild and crazy makes us do stupid things. It's way past time for us to grow up." (Source: OneNewsNow.com http://www.faithnews.cc/articles.cfm?sid=9217
real discipleship is about daily choices, made in the context of life with family, friends, and neighbors. No amount of emotionalism, laying claim to fiery experiences of the 'Spirit,' singing of praise songs until a 'spiritual trance' is induced, or other excesses will make you a better disciple or give you greater power in the Kingdom.
Real power in God's work is found in holy obedience, steady endurance, and the quietly transformed life that results from a daily walk with Jesus. It's not about having a spiritual party (what many church gathering are coming to resemble) or 'getting blessed!' The life that honors Christ and really makes a difference for the Kingdom is one in which we realize the importance of being faithful, of honoring commitments, of going to work, of good stewardship of money and possessions, of governing our passions, of getting on our knees whether you feel like it or not.
There are no short-cuts to spiritual depth and authority and victory. Maturity, which brings intimacy with God, humility, and steadiness; cannot be found in a single revival experience, in a book, or in a story that makes you weep. It comes in God's school of character where we choose, daily, our way or His.
Here's a word from the Word. Let it soak into your mind and heart, then pray for the Spirit to take you past emotionalism, past the craving of your sinful nature, and into the deep holiness of God which is beautiful, fulfilling, and defeats the Enemy's schemes.
"No prolonged infancies among us, please. We'll not tolerate babes in the woods, small children who are an easy mark for impostors. God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love-like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love.
And so I insist-and God backs me up on this-that there be no going along with the crowd, the empty-headed, mindless crowd. They've refused for so long to deal with God that they've lost touch not only with God but with reality itself. They can't think straight anymore. Feeling no pain, they let themselves go in sexual obsession, addicted to every sort of perversion.
But that's no life for you. You learned Christ! My assumption is that you have paid careful attention to him, been well instructed in the truth precisely as we have it in Jesus. Since, then, we do not have the excuse of ignorance, everything-and I do mean everything-connected with that old way of life has to go. It's rotten through and through. Get rid of it! And then take on an entirely new way of life-a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you." -
Ephesians 4:14-24, The Message
Tuesday, September 02, 2008
"I'm Gellin'!" ?
Wind-driven rain blows in his face as he waits for a taxicab. A look of misery is written all over his face, then.... magically some blue gel insoles slide into his shoes and he relaxes, just as the taxicab arrives. As he reaches for the door, another man shoves him aside and jumps in the cab, but our hero doesn't mind because he saying, "I'm gellin'!" The Dr. Scholl's company makes great foot care products and those silly advertising commercials featuring a stressed individual who is suddenly strangely soothed by the amazing gel inserts for shoes that make his feet feel oh, so comfortable! Is that all we need to deal with life's pressures?
The Word offers disciples of Jesus Christ a way to live with serenity! Many of Paul's letters open with this greeting: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:2, NIV) In another passage we read that "God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13, NLT) Then there is this oft-quoted verse: "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NIV)
With such great and wonderful promises, why do we spend so much time anxious, worried, and at odds with those around us?
Living in the peace of God requires more than sole inserts. At issue is the state of our soul! Buddhism suggests that the road to bliss is the way of detachment. Is the peace of the Christ-follower found in detachment? No! We need not escape to a monastery, move to the mountains of Montana, or quit our job to live in the peace of Christ Jesus. The basic choice that must be made is trust, making the decision to take each day as it comes, while trusting God without question. Easier said than done, isn't it? As long as we are fighting with God for control, we will not live in peace. When we embrace Him, giving ourselves up to His care, we open the door to being filled with supernatural hope, joy, and peace.
Living in peace also means choosing to obey Him. If we refuse to conform our thoughts and actions to His commands, the Holy Spirit cannot live in us as promised. When His Presence lifts from us, we feel orphaned and alone. Be careful on this point. Do not make your own perfection the focus of your efforts. That will rob you of peace, too. Instead, seek to stay connected to the Lord, to love Him and listen to the Spirit as He leads you. When He asks you to forgive another, do it! When He prompts you to hold your tongue, do it! When He urges you to put another's interests over your own, do it!
Living in the peace of God will mean that you learn how to order the priorities of your life. We define ourselves by what we do! 21st century Americans are addicted to noise and activity. Our brains are so over-stimulated that we actually grow agitated when things quiet down. We live at full speed for much of each day and even well into the evening. Our TV's blare from the corner of the room. Our cell phones, computers, and Blackberries never cool down. No wonder the peace of God escapes us. The Shepherd's voice, calling us to lie down in green pastures, is obliterated by the noise! Don't tell me that you have no control over this. Certainly there are days when things are hectic, but with discipline and the ability to say, "No" to the good for the sake of the best, we can find a place near the heart of God.
Gel sole inserts won't produce peace. Medication can grant a kind of 'peace,' but it's not the heart-deep, soul transforming, sweet rest promised by Christ. You knew that, and so did I. Disciple, I challenge you to consider your ways and your days. If there is no peace, then something is awry in your relationship with God.
Take this word from the Word as God's Word to you today:
"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." (2 Timothy 2:22, NLT)
"May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together (at peace!) —spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23, The Message)
_______________________
Far away in the depths
Of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains
It unceasingly falls
O'er my soul like an infinite calm.
What a treasure I have
In this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away
While the years of eternity roll.
Ah soul, are you here
Without comfort or rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your friend
Ere the shadows grow dark.
Oh accept this sweet peace so sublime.
Peace, Peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above.
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.
Wonderful Peace
Cornell, Warren D. / Cooper, W. George © Public Domain
The Word offers disciples of Jesus Christ a way to live with serenity! Many of Paul's letters open with this greeting: "Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 1:2, NIV) In another passage we read that "God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit." (Romans 15:13, NLT) Then there is this oft-quoted verse: "The peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:7, NIV)
With such great and wonderful promises, why do we spend so much time anxious, worried, and at odds with those around us?
Living in the peace of God requires more than sole inserts. At issue is the state of our soul! Buddhism suggests that the road to bliss is the way of detachment. Is the peace of the Christ-follower found in detachment? No! We need not escape to a monastery, move to the mountains of Montana, or quit our job to live in the peace of Christ Jesus. The basic choice that must be made is trust, making the decision to take each day as it comes, while trusting God without question. Easier said than done, isn't it? As long as we are fighting with God for control, we will not live in peace. When we embrace Him, giving ourselves up to His care, we open the door to being filled with supernatural hope, joy, and peace.
Living in peace also means choosing to obey Him. If we refuse to conform our thoughts and actions to His commands, the Holy Spirit cannot live in us as promised. When His Presence lifts from us, we feel orphaned and alone. Be careful on this point. Do not make your own perfection the focus of your efforts. That will rob you of peace, too. Instead, seek to stay connected to the Lord, to love Him and listen to the Spirit as He leads you. When He asks you to forgive another, do it! When He prompts you to hold your tongue, do it! When He urges you to put another's interests over your own, do it!
Living in the peace of God will mean that you learn how to order the priorities of your life. We define ourselves by what we do! 21st century Americans are addicted to noise and activity. Our brains are so over-stimulated that we actually grow agitated when things quiet down. We live at full speed for much of each day and even well into the evening. Our TV's blare from the corner of the room. Our cell phones, computers, and Blackberries never cool down. No wonder the peace of God escapes us. The Shepherd's voice, calling us to lie down in green pastures, is obliterated by the noise! Don't tell me that you have no control over this. Certainly there are days when things are hectic, but with discipline and the ability to say, "No" to the good for the sake of the best, we can find a place near the heart of God.
Gel sole inserts won't produce peace. Medication can grant a kind of 'peace,' but it's not the heart-deep, soul transforming, sweet rest promised by Christ. You knew that, and so did I. Disciple, I challenge you to consider your ways and your days. If there is no peace, then something is awry in your relationship with God.
Take this word from the Word as God's Word to you today:
"Run from anything that stimulates youthful lusts. Instead, pursue righteous living, faithfulness, love, and peace. Enjoy the companionship of those who call on the Lord with pure hearts." (2 Timothy 2:22, NLT)
"May God himself, the God who makes everything holy and whole, make you holy and whole, put you together (at peace!) —spirit, soul, and body—and keep you fit for the coming of our Master, Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23, The Message)
_______________________
Far away in the depths
Of my spirit tonight
Rolls a melody sweeter than psalm;
In celestial-like strains
It unceasingly falls
O'er my soul like an infinite calm.
What a treasure I have
In this wonderful peace,
Buried deep in the heart of my soul,
So secure that no power can mine it away
While the years of eternity roll.
Ah soul, are you here
Without comfort or rest,
Marching down the rough pathway of time?
Make Jesus your friend
Ere the shadows grow dark.
Oh accept this sweet peace so sublime.
Peace, Peace, wonderful peace,
Coming down from the Father above.
Sweep over my spirit forever, I pray,
In fathomless billows of love.
Wonderful Peace
Cornell, Warren D. / Cooper, W. George © Public Domain
Monday, September 01, 2008
The Impact of Storms!
Hurricane Gustav is hours from the Louisiana coast and millions of people's lives have changed course as a result of this storm. The city of New Orleans was evacuated, residents fleeing early fearing of another flood like Katrina. All of that destruction and misery is still a vivid memory. The script of the Republican convention in Minnesota, carefully planned for months, was torn up by winds blowing a thousand miles away. Those politicians decided that the pictures of the glitz of a national convention would be unseemly in juxtaposition with scenes from a hurricane's furious winds in one of America's major cities. Even the President of the United States changed his plans when this storm blew in from the Atlantic this week.
Hurricanes are not the only storms that change plans. A storm blew into my Dad's life in January that changed the course of his life, my Mom's life, my life, and lives of so many more. Plans carefully made were rewritten by rogue cells in his body. So, what storms are blowing into your life, dear friend? It's not a matter of 'if,' but rather 'when!' In a famous parable about foundations, Jesus Christ tells us to build a life house that rests solidly on His Words and wisdom. "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash." (Matthew 7:24-27, NLT) Storms will come at us from time to time that will shake us to the core. "What then," He asks? "Will you come through with your life intact, even though your plans are rewritten?"
There is one thing that allows me to face the storms of life with confidence: God knows the forecast! He is never caught unprepared. He is never reacting to the unexpected. The Psalmist exults in the Omniscience of the Lord saying, "O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!" (Psalm 139:1-6, NLT) He concludes with words of wonder: "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God." (Psalm 139:16-17, NLT)
Disciple, know this: those who serve the Lord go through storms. Saints are not exempt from hurricanes, cancer, or national recessions! But, we go through them with quiet confidence in the One who knew the storm's approach. So, build your life on the solid foundation of His loving wisdom. Obey Him today.
When the wind blows furiously through your life, you will be secure in the one fact that nothing can change: the enduring love of God and His promise to bring you to His eternal home! Hallelujah!
_______________
" Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."
Romans 11:33-36, NIV
Hurricanes are not the only storms that change plans. A storm blew into my Dad's life in January that changed the course of his life, my Mom's life, my life, and lives of so many more. Plans carefully made were rewritten by rogue cells in his body. So, what storms are blowing into your life, dear friend? It's not a matter of 'if,' but rather 'when!' In a famous parable about foundations, Jesus Christ tells us to build a life house that rests solidly on His Words and wisdom. "Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won’t collapse because it is built on bedrock. But anyone who hears my teaching and doesn’t obey it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will collapse with a mighty crash." (Matthew 7:24-27, NLT) Storms will come at us from time to time that will shake us to the core. "What then," He asks? "Will you come through with your life intact, even though your plans are rewritten?"
There is one thing that allows me to face the storms of life with confidence: God knows the forecast! He is never caught unprepared. He is never reacting to the unexpected. The Psalmist exults in the Omniscience of the Lord saying, "O Lord, you have examined my heart and know everything about me. You know when I sit down or stand up. You know my thoughts even when I’m far away. You see me when I travel and when I rest at home. You know everything I do. You know what I am going to say even before I say it, Lord. You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Such knowledge is too wonderful for me, too great for me to understand!" (Psalm 139:1-6, NLT) He concludes with words of wonder: "You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed. How precious are your thoughts about me, O God." (Psalm 139:16-17, NLT)
Disciple, know this: those who serve the Lord go through storms. Saints are not exempt from hurricanes, cancer, or national recessions! But, we go through them with quiet confidence in the One who knew the storm's approach. So, build your life on the solid foundation of His loving wisdom. Obey Him today.
When the wind blows furiously through your life, you will be secure in the one fact that nothing can change: the enduring love of God and His promise to bring you to His eternal home! Hallelujah!
_______________
" Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
"Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"
"Who has ever given to God, that God should repay him?"
For from him and through him and to him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen."
Romans 11:33-36, NIV
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