We met a new little beauty on Sunday evening. It’s been a week since our granddaughter Selah was born. I was glad to take her in my arms, all 7 pounds of her! As I gazed at her, sleeping, I felt a familiar weight settle on me; the press of responsibility. It was a weight I felt at the birth of each one of our children, too, but especially when as a 21 year old kid, I was handed my first son a few moments after he was born. As I held him, I bawled- really wept! As joyful as I was that morning, I was equally awed by the daunting responsibility of caring for a helpless human being and living in a way that invited him to follow me to the Cross of Christ, where he would kneel and receive grace and eternal life.
A human being is an eternal creature – destined to live with God in glory or apart from Him in misery. While we are not the Savior, our role in setting their life course is not minor. We turn them towards spiritual matters by our example. When you make choices - about where you go, what you buy, the movies you watch, the songs you play on the radio, the clothes you buy, the way you speak of your family, the attitude you have toward others, the place and manner of your worship – are you doing so as an authentic disciple of Christ? Can you say to your child, or any child for that matter, ‘follow me as I follow Christ!’? Jesus’ words are a stern warning. "Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me. … But if you cause one of these little ones who trusts in me to fall into sin, it would be better for you to be thrown into the sea with a large millstone hung around your neck." (Mark 9:36-37, 42, NLT)
It might seem that I am urging people to be excessively religious around children. If that’s your reading, start over! Holding back profanity because children are present, living like the Devil all week and then insisting on going to church every Sunday – and such religious practices are terrible choices. They teach children to be hypocrites, to think that God can be bought with a few trinkets and a couple of hours of feigned worship! That well known passage in God’s Law reminds to make Him known, not just on holy days, but every day! "These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads." (Deuteronomy 6:6-8, NIV) Is the Lord part of every conversation? No, I don’t mean in a forced way, a strain to mention “Jesus” in every paragraph! Is He present?
We choose to love, they learn to love.
We choose to forgive, they learn to forgive.
We choose to seek God first, they learn He is their primary resource.
We are faithful to our commitments, they learn to stick with the tough things.
We discipline ourselves in big and small ways, they learn how to make the choice to eat cookies after dinner. We live our faith, they look to the One who gives them life.
The Proverb offers this wisdom: "Point your kids in the right direction— when they’re old they won’t be lost." (Proverbs 22:6, The Message) Yes, it’s a heavy responsibility and one no parent can carry alone. It should send us often into the Presence of God where we ask for His wisdom, where we pray for forgiveness, where we invite the Holy Spirit to shape us into the likeness of Christ Jesus.
_____________________
I am a promise
I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital "P"
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learnin' to hear God's voice
And I am tryin' to make the right choice
I am a promise to be anything God wants me to be.
I can go anywhere that He wants me to go
I can be anything He wants me to be
I can climb the high mountains
I can cross the wide sea
I'm a great big promise you see!
I am a promise
I am a possibility
I am a promise with a capital "P"
I am a great big bundle of potentiality
And I am learnin' to hear God's voice
And I am tryin' to make the right choice
I'm a promise to be anything God wants me to be
Anything God wants me to be!
I Am A Promise, Bill and Gloria Gaither
Tuesday, March 08, 2011
Monday, March 07, 2011
Bringing Heaven to Earth
Christians are given the most amazing job to do – connecting God and His goodness with this present world. It’s not just preacher’s work nor is it primarily done in church buildings. You are called to this privilege. Living as Jesus Christ’s representative is your true calling and it is the key to knowing the ‘abundant’ life He promised. “Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well." (Matthew 6:33, NIV) When we let living His life define us, we move out of pre-occupation with our reputation and resources. Owning things or being seen as a successful person loses importance as Christ gains mastery of our heart and mind.
So many Christians (including me!) speak of ‘building the Kingdom of God’ here on earth, but that is a misplaced focus. It implies that I am the primary actor, the one doing the work. When I think in that way, there is a shift, often unconscious, from doing Jesus’ work to doing Jerry’s work. That leads to anxiety, stress, tension, conflict, and frustration. Robert Burns neatly sums up our dilemma – “the best laid plans of mice and men go oft awry!” Where I am trying to do even great and good things, unforeseen complications will certainly rise up to frustrate those plans. But, when God is Captain of my life, I rest on the promise that He is working in me and through me to accomplish what is yet unseen. Borrowing the example of the Jewish people and God’s gift of a Sabbath, a day to step aside from daily work into rest, the Spirit tells us "there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall." (Hebrews 4:9-11, NLT) We ‘rest’ on God, demonstrating our reliance on Him with a RADICAL obedience to His expressed will. And by that very faith His influence spreads from us into this present world. Our primary influence comes not from what we strive to do, but from who we are.
Ah, disciple, stop trying to act like a Christian! Instead, become one! Relinquish yourself, without reservation, to Him. I am concerned that some might read this as a call to inaction, laziness, or passivity. It is none of those things. We can and must be people of passion, often intense, but not with the usual focus on Self. Our passion is to love Him, and being loved, to live in love. If we are filled with the Spirit, the sins of our own heart and of the world around us should cause us great pain and move us to both tears and anger. Jesus was not passive in the face of evil. While He lived among us He did not work at creating for Himself a detachment from the sorrows that surrounded Him. Yet, He brought wholeness to earth by living in the fullness of His Father’s care and will. We can do the same.
Here’s my prayer for us as this new week begins: "It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life. … I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! " (Ephesians 1:13-14,17-19, The Message)
So many Christians (including me!) speak of ‘building the Kingdom of God’ here on earth, but that is a misplaced focus. It implies that I am the primary actor, the one doing the work. When I think in that way, there is a shift, often unconscious, from doing Jesus’ work to doing Jerry’s work. That leads to anxiety, stress, tension, conflict, and frustration. Robert Burns neatly sums up our dilemma – “the best laid plans of mice and men go oft awry!” Where I am trying to do even great and good things, unforeseen complications will certainly rise up to frustrate those plans. But, when God is Captain of my life, I rest on the promise that He is working in me and through me to accomplish what is yet unseen. Borrowing the example of the Jewish people and God’s gift of a Sabbath, a day to step aside from daily work into rest, the Spirit tells us "there is a special rest still waiting for the people of God. For all who have entered into God’s rest have rested from their labors, just as God did after creating the world. So let us do our best to enter that rest. But if we disobey God, as the people of Israel did, we will fall." (Hebrews 4:9-11, NLT) We ‘rest’ on God, demonstrating our reliance on Him with a RADICAL obedience to His expressed will. And by that very faith His influence spreads from us into this present world. Our primary influence comes not from what we strive to do, but from who we are.
Ah, disciple, stop trying to act like a Christian! Instead, become one! Relinquish yourself, without reservation, to Him. I am concerned that some might read this as a call to inaction, laziness, or passivity. It is none of those things. We can and must be people of passion, often intense, but not with the usual focus on Self. Our passion is to love Him, and being loved, to live in love. If we are filled with the Spirit, the sins of our own heart and of the world around us should cause us great pain and move us to both tears and anger. Jesus was not passive in the face of evil. While He lived among us He did not work at creating for Himself a detachment from the sorrows that surrounded Him. Yet, He brought wholeness to earth by living in the fullness of His Father’s care and will. We can do the same.
Here’s my prayer for us as this new week begins: "It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life. … I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength! " (Ephesians 1:13-14,17-19, The Message)
Friday, March 04, 2011
The rustling of the breeze in the trees
The young man was wrestling with a detour in his life plan. To all appearances, it looked like he was derailed from the track he had laid with all good intentions, and in a very real sense, he was. But, I asked him if it were possible that God was working him into a whole new plan, doing something in his life of far greater purpose than he might ever have discovered if the derailment had never occurred. My counsel to him was that he wait and listen.
After having walked with the Lord for 4 decades, I know a thing or two about detours! Even those that came out of my own foolish decisions, the Mighty God has used to create new opportunities, deeper intimacy with Him, and/or character in me. Like most people, at the time of these detours, I usually complain or grow fearful. “Oh no, this can’t be happening. I must regain control.” But, I am learning to listen carefully and look for the new opportunities that are created by the unexpected developments in my life. If that all sounds like a naïve optimism to you, I am sorry. It is actually faith, active and focused, on the Lord’s ability to "cause everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28, NLT) It is not a passive resignation to fate.
As long as we have the idea that we are a god, He cannot be our LORD. Do you attempt to live as a god, controlling your world, forcing your plans? You might succeed, for a time. Jesus said it was ‘hard for a rich man to come into the Kingdom of God.’ As long as we have resources, our natural bent is to use them to remain self-sufficient, large and in charge! And, many of us are rich enough to avoid reliance on God for a very long time!
After David was crowned king in ancient Israel, the perpetual enemy of God’s people, the Philistines, immediately sent an army to bring him down. They thought they could defeat him while his kingdom was young, before he had the chance to consolidate his strength. But, consistent with his faith, David knew enough not to react to his foes. Instead, he made the choice to respond to his God! "So David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you.” (2 Samuel 5:19, NIV) Even then, David didn’t just rush off to do battle. He continued to be under orders, led by the Lord. The first skirmish brought a defeat of his enemies, but they regrouped and came back for more. Once more he prayed for guidance. This time God asked him to wait for a strange signal. "When you hear the sound of shuffling in the trees, get ready to move out. It’s a signal that God is going ahead of you to smash the Philistine camp.” (2 Samuel 5:24, The Message) It was a sound like a breeze blowing through the tree tops, or like a troop moving through a grove of trees, quietly, yet causing rustling of leaves. Ancient rabbinic tradition suggests that David was waiting to hear the angels assembling above his army. Neat idea, isn’t it? The story concludes that David was totally obedient, waiting until he heard the promised sound, then going out courageously. He won a decisive victory under God’s guidance.
So, are you listening for the signal of God?
Are you praying actively, yet with profound faith allowing the Spirit of God to say when and where you move?
It’s not all that easy to put all of our plans in secondary position to His plan. There is much inside of us that clamors for comfort, fulfillment, and expression that can make us deaf to the persistent, yet quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. There is a tumult going on around us – a thousand voices telling us to turn here, go there, do this, don’t do that – so that we must withdraw to contemplation of the words of the Lord, to hear the rustling of the breeze in the treetops that signals His plan for us.
__________
Sweet Wind
There's a wind a-blowin'
All across the land
A fragrant breeze of heaven
Blowin' once again
Don't know where it comes from
Don't know where it goes
But let it blow over me
Oh sweet wind
Come and blow over me
There's a rain a-pourin'
Showers from above
Mercy drops are comin'
Mercy drops of love
Turn your face to heaven
Let the water pour
Well let it pour over me
Oh sweet rain
Come and pour over me
There's a fire burnin'
Fallin' from the sky
Awesome tongues of fire
Consuming you and I
Can you feel it burnin'
Burn the sacrifice
Well let it burn over me
Oh sweet fire
Come and burn over me
© 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
Vineyard Songs Canada
ION Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
David Ruis
CCLI License No. 810055
After having walked with the Lord for 4 decades, I know a thing or two about detours! Even those that came out of my own foolish decisions, the Mighty God has used to create new opportunities, deeper intimacy with Him, and/or character in me. Like most people, at the time of these detours, I usually complain or grow fearful. “Oh no, this can’t be happening. I must regain control.” But, I am learning to listen carefully and look for the new opportunities that are created by the unexpected developments in my life. If that all sounds like a naïve optimism to you, I am sorry. It is actually faith, active and focused, on the Lord’s ability to "cause everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them." (Romans 8:28, NLT) It is not a passive resignation to fate.
As long as we have the idea that we are a god, He cannot be our LORD. Do you attempt to live as a god, controlling your world, forcing your plans? You might succeed, for a time. Jesus said it was ‘hard for a rich man to come into the Kingdom of God.’ As long as we have resources, our natural bent is to use them to remain self-sufficient, large and in charge! And, many of us are rich enough to avoid reliance on God for a very long time!
After David was crowned king in ancient Israel, the perpetual enemy of God’s people, the Philistines, immediately sent an army to bring him down. They thought they could defeat him while his kingdom was young, before he had the chance to consolidate his strength. But, consistent with his faith, David knew enough not to react to his foes. Instead, he made the choice to respond to his God! "So David inquired of the Lord, “Shall I go and attack the Philistines? Will you hand them over to me?” The Lord answered him, “Go, for I will surely hand the Philistines over to you.” (2 Samuel 5:19, NIV) Even then, David didn’t just rush off to do battle. He continued to be under orders, led by the Lord. The first skirmish brought a defeat of his enemies, but they regrouped and came back for more. Once more he prayed for guidance. This time God asked him to wait for a strange signal. "When you hear the sound of shuffling in the trees, get ready to move out. It’s a signal that God is going ahead of you to smash the Philistine camp.” (2 Samuel 5:24, The Message) It was a sound like a breeze blowing through the tree tops, or like a troop moving through a grove of trees, quietly, yet causing rustling of leaves. Ancient rabbinic tradition suggests that David was waiting to hear the angels assembling above his army. Neat idea, isn’t it? The story concludes that David was totally obedient, waiting until he heard the promised sound, then going out courageously. He won a decisive victory under God’s guidance.
So, are you listening for the signal of God?
Are you praying actively, yet with profound faith allowing the Spirit of God to say when and where you move?
It’s not all that easy to put all of our plans in secondary position to His plan. There is much inside of us that clamors for comfort, fulfillment, and expression that can make us deaf to the persistent, yet quiet voice of the Holy Spirit. There is a tumult going on around us – a thousand voices telling us to turn here, go there, do this, don’t do that – so that we must withdraw to contemplation of the words of the Lord, to hear the rustling of the breeze in the treetops that signals His plan for us.
__________
Sweet Wind
There's a wind a-blowin'
All across the land
A fragrant breeze of heaven
Blowin' once again
Don't know where it comes from
Don't know where it goes
But let it blow over me
Oh sweet wind
Come and blow over me
There's a rain a-pourin'
Showers from above
Mercy drops are comin'
Mercy drops of love
Turn your face to heaven
Let the water pour
Well let it pour over me
Oh sweet rain
Come and pour over me
There's a fire burnin'
Fallin' from the sky
Awesome tongues of fire
Consuming you and I
Can you feel it burnin'
Burn the sacrifice
Well let it burn over me
Oh sweet fire
Come and burn over me
© 1994 Mercy / Vineyard Publishing
Vineyard Songs Canada
ION Publishing (Admin. by Music Services, Inc.)
David Ruis
CCLI License No. 810055
Thursday, March 03, 2011
God as “Mr. Fix-it”
A few months ago, the city of Philadelphia issued a parking ticket to my late father and billed my Mom $90! They claimed he parked a car in a crosswalk. The license plates in question had been turned in a full year before the alleged offense, a couple of months after his death. A call to the parking authority’s office brought only frustration. I sent a copy of Dad’s death certificate to them, but still they insisted on payment. Two more calls accomplished nothing. Then a friend connected me to his friend in the mayor’s office. That man asked for the documents that proved my Dad couldn’t have been in Philly. One phone call from him took care of it all. Without his intervention, we would likely have just paid the ticket to avoid a trip to Philly and a long sit in a municipal court to get the summons dismissed.
Do you know that you have a Friend in high places, One who is your Advocate?
Do you rely on Him, call on Him, trust His goodness?
The Bible reminds us that He understands our needs because He was incarnate - ‘in the flesh.’ He willingly set aside His Heavenly splendor and "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:7, NIV) That is why He knows exactly how you feel today. Does that inspire you to reach out to Him? "Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help." (Hebrews 4:14-16, The Message)
Let’s not trivialize this amazing promise. Let’s not diminish Jesus’ incredible ministry of intercession. To think only that He is a great “Mr. Fix-it” that is on call 24/7 to arrange parking spaces for us, to get us through traffic, and to make our car run smoothly – well, that’s just sad! He does care about the small things, but He administers even greater grace to us that allows us to overcome the Tempter so that we may live a holy life. He provides joy and peace for the roughest moments when we rely on Him. He comforts us with hope even when death is near. He is our Provider and our Healer, the One who makes a way for us. The Scripture is filled with promises of His goodness. "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. … For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:1,12, NIV)
If we want the richest experience of His gracious Friendship, we must live as His friend! Don’t ignore Him for days and days when things are going smoothly, only to run and cry on His shoulders when you get yourself into a jam. David teaches us by his example. "Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." (Psalm 5:3, NLT) When we awaken to prayer, when we turn our heart towards Heaven at the first light, it changes our expectations. It sets the tone for the day causing us to realize that we have One on whom we can rely.
What’s weighing on you right now? Have you presented it to Him in faith?
Read this amazing passage, which comes from one of the most amazing letters of Paul. There’s hope here, not because we are great, but because God is good.
"Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:17-21, NLT)
___________________
Be Still And Know
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still oh restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still
Be speechless
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know He is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still
Be still
© 1999 Sparrow Song
Primary Wave Brian (Chapman Sp Acct) (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing)
(Admin. by Wixen Music Publishing, Inc.)
Steven Curtis Chapman
CCLI License No. 810055
Do you know that you have a Friend in high places, One who is your Advocate?
Do you rely on Him, call on Him, trust His goodness?
The Bible reminds us that He understands our needs because He was incarnate - ‘in the flesh.’ He willingly set aside His Heavenly splendor and "made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness." (Philippians 2:7, NIV) That is why He knows exactly how you feel today. Does that inspire you to reach out to Him? "Now that we know what we have—Jesus, this great High Priest with ready access to God—let’s not let it slip through our fingers. We don’t have a priest who is out of touch with our reality. He’s been through weakness and testing, experienced it all—all but the sin. So let’s walk right up to him and get what he is so ready to give. Take the mercy, accept the help." (Hebrews 4:14-16, The Message)
Let’s not trivialize this amazing promise. Let’s not diminish Jesus’ incredible ministry of intercession. To think only that He is a great “Mr. Fix-it” that is on call 24/7 to arrange parking spaces for us, to get us through traffic, and to make our car run smoothly – well, that’s just sad! He does care about the small things, but He administers even greater grace to us that allows us to overcome the Tempter so that we may live a holy life. He provides joy and peace for the roughest moments when we rely on Him. He comforts us with hope even when death is near. He is our Provider and our Healer, the One who makes a way for us. The Scripture is filled with promises of His goodness. "Give ear to my words, O Lord, consider my sighing. … For surely, O Lord, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield." (Psalm 5:1,12, NIV)
If we want the richest experience of His gracious Friendship, we must live as His friend! Don’t ignore Him for days and days when things are going smoothly, only to run and cry on His shoulders when you get yourself into a jam. David teaches us by his example. "Listen to my voice in the morning, Lord. Each morning I bring my requests to you and wait expectantly." (Psalm 5:3, NLT) When we awaken to prayer, when we turn our heart towards Heaven at the first light, it changes our expectations. It sets the tone for the day causing us to realize that we have One on whom we can rely.
What’s weighing on you right now? Have you presented it to Him in faith?
Read this amazing passage, which comes from one of the most amazing letters of Paul. There’s hope here, not because we are great, but because God is good.
"Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is.
May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God. Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think. Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:17-21, NLT)
___________________
Be Still And Know
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is holy
Be still oh restless soul of mine
Bow before the Prince of Peace
Let the noise and clamor cease
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is faithful
Consider all that He has done
Stand in awe and be amazed
And know that He will never change
Be still
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know that He is God
Be still
Be speechless
Be still and know that He is God
Be still and know He is our Father
Come rest your head upon His breast
Listen to the rhythm of
His unfailing heart of love
Beating for His little ones
Calling each of us to come
Be still
Be still
© 1999 Sparrow Song
Primary Wave Brian (Chapman Sp Acct) (a div. of EMI Christian Music Publishing)
(Admin. by Wixen Music Publishing, Inc.)
Steven Curtis Chapman
CCLI License No. 810055
Wednesday, March 02, 2011
Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On
This little globe is shaking these days. Money troubles abound. Nations are in uproar. I'm getting old! (Hey, that shakes my world!) There are some big things that hang like the sword of Damocles over the future. The Middle East is a pressure cooker, steaming and hissing. Americans have grown accustomed to living in ways that cannot be sustained this this economy. America's health care system, justice system, and educational systems appear to be collapsing under the weight of entitlement and unrestrained selfishness. Immorality of every kind is burying us in filth, injustice, greed, and unfaithfulness. From the porn merchants that fill the Internet with sexual perversion, to the rich whose greed ruins the poor, to the politicians who use the trust of power to make themselves secure, to fathers who abandon their children in pursuit of pleasure; selfishness is everywhere!
The one place where real answers can be found: the Church: is often irrelevant and ignored! Some local congregations are so locked up in tradition, they cannot engage the community in which they are to be 'salt and light.' They speak in languages no longer understood. Or, worse, they are consumed with things that nobody cares about, impotent, and self-absorbed. Rather than be known as a place to find a cure for soul-sickness, they are kept swept and clean, museums to past glories that once were meaningful and connecting the eternal Christ with a dying world: "having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:5, NIV)
Still, I have hope! Why?
Because I know that God reigns; that the Empty Tomb is on the far side of the ugly Cross! Our Christian hope is found in our secure place in the Kingdom of God, a place where "nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-40, NLT) That rock solid footing lets us reach into the troubled world to minister God's grace, speak His wisdom, and offer His salvation. We are not fearful for not even death itself cannot destroy us because it did not destroy our Lord, who died and lives again.
Too many Christ-followers see the sin-sickness of their world as reason to withdraw and to abandon it to evil. They create escapist prophetic scenarios. Often they attack and drive away those in most desperate need from the One who could save them from their sin.
Jesus demands a different response: "Stand steady against the onslaught of evil! Don't compromise and slide into spiritual apathy." Those of us who know the Eternal God, who live in His purposes, who have accepted the promise of Resurrection Life are equipped to deal a death blow to the evil around us. How? Not with the typical power tactics. We love, a kind of love that gets engaged, gives up comfort, forgets about personal preference, and cares nothing for recognition. Our love makes us look a little like Don Quixote, 'dreaming an impossible dream.' But, if our dream is inspired by the Spirit, we find power to make it a vision, and that vision becomes a blueprint for transformation in ourselves and in this generation.
Difficult times provide great opportunities for the advance of the Gospel of Christ.
Are you praying each day for opportunities to do good?
Are you asking the Lord to create a new and deep holiness in your day to day words and actions that reflects the beauty of Jesus?
Are you open to the Spirit's fullness, willing to go wherever He leads you, including across the street to your neighbor?
Here's a word from the Word to take to heart today.
"So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.
Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. " (Ephesians 6:11-18, The Message)
_______________
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee
Take my voice and let me sing
Always only for my King
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee
Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose
Take my will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is Thine own
It shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love my Lord
I pour at Thy feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever only all for Thee
Take My Life And Let It Be
© Public Domain
Frances Ridley Havergal
Louis Joseph Ferdinand Herold
The one place where real answers can be found: the Church: is often irrelevant and ignored! Some local congregations are so locked up in tradition, they cannot engage the community in which they are to be 'salt and light.' They speak in languages no longer understood. Or, worse, they are consumed with things that nobody cares about, impotent, and self-absorbed. Rather than be known as a place to find a cure for soul-sickness, they are kept swept and clean, museums to past glories that once were meaningful and connecting the eternal Christ with a dying world: "having a form of godliness but denying its power." (2 Timothy 3:5, NIV)
Still, I have hope! Why?
Because I know that God reigns; that the Empty Tomb is on the far side of the ugly Cross! Our Christian hope is found in our secure place in the Kingdom of God, a place where "nothing can ever separate us from God's love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow-not even the powers of hell can separate us from God's love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below-indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:38-40, NLT) That rock solid footing lets us reach into the troubled world to minister God's grace, speak His wisdom, and offer His salvation. We are not fearful for not even death itself cannot destroy us because it did not destroy our Lord, who died and lives again.
Too many Christ-followers see the sin-sickness of their world as reason to withdraw and to abandon it to evil. They create escapist prophetic scenarios. Often they attack and drive away those in most desperate need from the One who could save them from their sin.
Jesus demands a different response: "Stand steady against the onslaught of evil! Don't compromise and slide into spiritual apathy." Those of us who know the Eternal God, who live in His purposes, who have accepted the promise of Resurrection Life are equipped to deal a death blow to the evil around us. How? Not with the typical power tactics. We love, a kind of love that gets engaged, gives up comfort, forgets about personal preference, and cares nothing for recognition. Our love makes us look a little like Don Quixote, 'dreaming an impossible dream.' But, if our dream is inspired by the Spirit, we find power to make it a vision, and that vision becomes a blueprint for transformation in ourselves and in this generation.
Difficult times provide great opportunities for the advance of the Gospel of Christ.
Are you praying each day for opportunities to do good?
Are you asking the Lord to create a new and deep holiness in your day to day words and actions that reflects the beauty of Jesus?
Are you open to the Spirit's fullness, willing to go wherever He leads you, including across the street to your neighbor?
Here's a word from the Word to take to heart today.
"So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way. This is no afternoon athletic contest that we'll walk away from and forget about in a couple of hours. This is for keeps, a life-or-death fight to the finish against the Devil and all his angels.
Be prepared. You're up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it's all over but the shouting you'll still be on your feet. Truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation are more than words. Learn how to apply them. You'll need them throughout your life. God's Word is an indispensable weapon. In the same way, prayer is essential in this ongoing warfare.
Pray hard and long. Pray for your brothers and sisters. Keep your eyes open. Keep each other's spirits up so that no one falls behind or drops out. " (Ephesians 6:11-18, The Message)
_______________
Take my life and let it be
Consecrated Lord to Thee
Take my moments and my days
Let them flow in ceaseless praise
Take my hands and let them move
At the impulse of Thy love
Take my feet and let them be
Swift and beautiful for Thee
Take my voice and let me sing
Always only for my King
Take my lips and let them be
Filled with messages from Thee
Take my silver and my gold
Not a mite would I withhold
Take my intellect and use
Every power as Thou shalt choose
Take my will and make it Thine
It shall be no longer mine
Take my heart it is Thine own
It shall be Thy royal throne
Take my love my Lord
I pour at Thy feet its treasure store
Take myself and I will be
Ever only all for Thee
Take My Life And Let It Be
© Public Domain
Frances Ridley Havergal
Louis Joseph Ferdinand Herold
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Unappreciated? Misunderstood?
There are not many things that are more painful than giving yourself to the maximum only to be misunderstood and/or misjudged. I recently talked with a woman who gave herself unselfishly, desiring nothing except to serve in her ministry. She got caught in a crossfire of personalities and egos. The tragedy was double – she became a casualty of that sad war and the ministry lost a valuable servant. Her goodness went unappreciated, motives she never had remotely in mind were assigned to her. As we talked, she struggled with guilt, much of it false, wondering out loud if she had somehow done something to cause the upset.
When we find ourselves in those situations where we are misjudged, misquoted, misunderstood, and unappreciated we have two choices – get bitter or get better! Bitterness comes to us easily, almost a self-protective reflex. But bitterness is a poison that is indiscriminate. We cannot pour a cup for another without having it splash into our own soul.
So, how can we get better instead?
It is no cliché to say – “Remember who you’re ultimately serving!” Jesus said that even giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty man or visiting a lonely one is a gift to Him. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’" (Matthew 25:40, NIV) He knows exactly why we did what we did and never misunderstands or forgets. Sobering, isn’t it? Hopefully, it encourages to do good even when we’re unappreciated.
I remember a night long ago when the motives of my pastoral service were called into question. A man I had loved and trusted, leveled charges against me he honestly believed to be true. He saw only a part of what was going on, his judgment was clouded by other associations. The wounds went deep. I never came closer to making the choice to leave pastoral ministry, to change my career. I remember walking alone in the darkness, with tears streaming down my face, as much from anger as from sorrow. It was not an audible voice I heard that night, but it was the Spirit – clearly – who said, “What does the Lord know about this situation? Has He released you from your calling?” There was great comfort in knowing that He knew all about it. And, I was able to move into a place where I could pursue forgiveness and reconciliation. It was not simple, nor was it easy! There is great freedom in refocusing on the One who never forgets.
We must not return fire, when others fire on us. Whoa, that’s a tough call, isn’t it? I admit it’s easier to write about it than to live it. Our Savior is our example. Peter tells us "If you’re treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God. This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. … He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right." (1 Peter 2:20-23, The Message)
We actively seek the good of those who seek our harm. We are not just passive in the face of those who oppose us. Going beyond mere non-response supernaturally we move to bless them. "Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you." (Luke 6:28, NLT)
All of this rests on the secure foundation of the Lord’s love for us and His keen insight. When your soul is battered, your heart is broken, your mind cries out for vindication – go to Jesus’ embrace. He knows the Truth and even if all Hell accuses, it is He alone that makes us right in the sight of the Father.
Here’s a word from the Word. Make it your prayerful meditation today.
"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You." Amen
(Psalm 33:18-23, NKJV
When we find ourselves in those situations where we are misjudged, misquoted, misunderstood, and unappreciated we have two choices – get bitter or get better! Bitterness comes to us easily, almost a self-protective reflex. But bitterness is a poison that is indiscriminate. We cannot pour a cup for another without having it splash into our own soul.
So, how can we get better instead?
It is no cliché to say – “Remember who you’re ultimately serving!” Jesus said that even giving a cup of cold water to a thirsty man or visiting a lonely one is a gift to Him. "I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’" (Matthew 25:40, NIV) He knows exactly why we did what we did and never misunderstands or forgets. Sobering, isn’t it? Hopefully, it encourages to do good even when we’re unappreciated.
I remember a night long ago when the motives of my pastoral service were called into question. A man I had loved and trusted, leveled charges against me he honestly believed to be true. He saw only a part of what was going on, his judgment was clouded by other associations. The wounds went deep. I never came closer to making the choice to leave pastoral ministry, to change my career. I remember walking alone in the darkness, with tears streaming down my face, as much from anger as from sorrow. It was not an audible voice I heard that night, but it was the Spirit – clearly – who said, “What does the Lord know about this situation? Has He released you from your calling?” There was great comfort in knowing that He knew all about it. And, I was able to move into a place where I could pursue forgiveness and reconciliation. It was not simple, nor was it easy! There is great freedom in refocusing on the One who never forgets.
We must not return fire, when others fire on us. Whoa, that’s a tough call, isn’t it? I admit it’s easier to write about it than to live it. Our Savior is our example. Peter tells us "If you’re treated badly for good behavior and continue in spite of it to be a good servant, that is what counts with God. This is the kind of life you’ve been invited into, the kind of life Christ lived. … He never did one thing wrong, Not once said anything amiss. They called him every name in the book and he said nothing back. He suffered in silence, content to let God set things right." (1 Peter 2:20-23, The Message)
We actively seek the good of those who seek our harm. We are not just passive in the face of those who oppose us. Going beyond mere non-response supernaturally we move to bless them. "Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you." (Luke 6:28, NLT)
All of this rests on the secure foundation of the Lord’s love for us and His keen insight. When your soul is battered, your heart is broken, your mind cries out for vindication – go to Jesus’ embrace. He knows the Truth and even if all Hell accuses, it is He alone that makes us right in the sight of the Father.
Here’s a word from the Word. Make it your prayerful meditation today.
"Behold, the eye of the Lord is on those who fear Him,
On those who hope in His mercy,
To deliver their soul from death,
And to keep them alive in famine.
Our soul waits for the Lord;
He is our help and our shield.
For our heart shall rejoice in Him,
Because we have trusted in His holy name.
Let Your mercy, O Lord, be upon us,
Just as we hope in You." Amen
(Psalm 33:18-23, NKJV
Sunday, February 27, 2011
You don’t have to be Amish, but you are called to be separate!
Many would-be followers of Christ try to live while holding onto polar extremes: they want to be ‘hip’ and ‘godly’ at the same time. It’s the proverbial oil and water thing. We cannot love the purity of Christ and the baubles of this transient world at the same time.
The Bible says it like this: "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." (1 John 2:15-17, NLT)
Jesus was more blunt: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see." (Revelation 3:15-18, NLT)
A Christian disciple’s separation from worldly systems and values involves everything about us; where we play, what we eat, how we think about our money, marriage – the very meaning of life! Being a Christian is not just about believing the right thing about Jesus Christ and having a ‘get out of Hell free’ card in our wallet. It isn’t just about going to a church where we take Communion, promise God we’ll do better this week, and go back out to live as we please. A Christian is also a disciple, a word that shares the root concept with discipline. There are decisions to be made about following Him which are evident in the choices we make about life on Monday morning and Friday night as much as Sunday morning. If we won’t follow His lead, we cannot claim to participate in His life, which is the essence of being right with God.
There is a lie that goes back to the early days of the faith that says: “As long I as I believe the right things and know what is right and wrong, it doesn’t matter what I do, because after all, this world is just temporary.” The heresy goes by the name of Gnosticism. That word comes from a Greek word that means “Knowledge.” Gnostics think that salvation comes by enlightenment, by gaining esoteric insights into spiritual matters. Christian Gnostics (they are not really Christian) live with a huge gap between their belief system and daily life. They falsely comfort themselves that they can claim to love God while serving Self because they are enlightened.
When we love the Lord, it will cause us to be ‘holy,’ that means distinct from the culture that surrounds us because we belong exclusively to God. Holiness, much mocked by the worldly wise, is sometimes confused with shallow piety, a thin veneer of rigid rules that covers a heart full of sin. That’s not holy. That is Pharisaic legalism. Real holiness is beautiful because it is whole, pure, and reverent. Being holy doesn’t mean we have to be Amish, but it means will be separate from worldly things. Here’s a word from the Word for your meditation today. May the wisdom of the Spirit lead you to a life that honors Him in every way.
"Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives.
God himself put it this way: “I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people. So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,” says God. “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself.
I’ll be a Father to you; you’ll be sons and daughters to me.” The Word of the Master, God. With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God." (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, The Message)
Disciple, are you holy? That’s not just for pastors and old ladies! Without holiness, there is no real knowing God. What in this world could compare to the assurance of the Father’s love?
________________________
A pure heart, that's what I long for,
A heart that follows hard after Thee;
A pure heart, that's what I long for,
A heart that follows hard after Thee.
A heart that hides Your Word
So that sin will not come in,
A heart that's undivided
But one You rule and reign;
A heart that beats compassion,
That pleases You, my Lord,
A sweet aroma of worship
That rises to Your throne.
A Pure Heart
Nelson, Rusty
© 1992 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
The Bible says it like this: "Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world. And this world is fading away, along with everything that people crave. But anyone who does what pleases God will live forever." (1 John 2:15-17, NLT)
Jesus was more blunt: “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see." (Revelation 3:15-18, NLT)
A Christian disciple’s separation from worldly systems and values involves everything about us; where we play, what we eat, how we think about our money, marriage – the very meaning of life! Being a Christian is not just about believing the right thing about Jesus Christ and having a ‘get out of Hell free’ card in our wallet. It isn’t just about going to a church where we take Communion, promise God we’ll do better this week, and go back out to live as we please. A Christian is also a disciple, a word that shares the root concept with discipline. There are decisions to be made about following Him which are evident in the choices we make about life on Monday morning and Friday night as much as Sunday morning. If we won’t follow His lead, we cannot claim to participate in His life, which is the essence of being right with God.
There is a lie that goes back to the early days of the faith that says: “As long I as I believe the right things and know what is right and wrong, it doesn’t matter what I do, because after all, this world is just temporary.” The heresy goes by the name of Gnosticism. That word comes from a Greek word that means “Knowledge.” Gnostics think that salvation comes by enlightenment, by gaining esoteric insights into spiritual matters. Christian Gnostics (they are not really Christian) live with a huge gap between their belief system and daily life. They falsely comfort themselves that they can claim to love God while serving Self because they are enlightened.
When we love the Lord, it will cause us to be ‘holy,’ that means distinct from the culture that surrounds us because we belong exclusively to God. Holiness, much mocked by the worldly wise, is sometimes confused with shallow piety, a thin veneer of rigid rules that covers a heart full of sin. That’s not holy. That is Pharisaic legalism. Real holiness is beautiful because it is whole, pure, and reverent. Being holy doesn’t mean we have to be Amish, but it means will be separate from worldly things. Here’s a word from the Word for your meditation today. May the wisdom of the Spirit lead you to a life that honors Him in every way.
"Don’t become partners with those who reject God. How can you make a partnership out of right and wrong? That’s not partnership; that’s war. Is light best friends with dark? Does Christ go strolling with the Devil? Do trust and mistrust hold hands? Who would think of setting up pagan idols in God’s holy Temple? But that is exactly what we are, each of us a temple in whom God lives.
God himself put it this way: “I’ll live in them, move into them; I’ll be their God and they’ll be my people. So leave the corruption and compromise; leave it for good,” says God. “Don’t link up with those who will pollute you. I want you all for myself.
I’ll be a Father to you; you’ll be sons and daughters to me.” The Word of the Master, God. With promises like this to pull us on, dear friends, let’s make a clean break with everything that defiles or distracts us, both within and without. Let’s make our entire lives fit and holy temples for the worship of God." (2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1, The Message)
Disciple, are you holy? That’s not just for pastors and old ladies! Without holiness, there is no real knowing God. What in this world could compare to the assurance of the Father’s love?
________________________
A pure heart, that's what I long for,
A heart that follows hard after Thee;
A pure heart, that's what I long for,
A heart that follows hard after Thee.
A heart that hides Your Word
So that sin will not come in,
A heart that's undivided
But one You rule and reign;
A heart that beats compassion,
That pleases You, my Lord,
A sweet aroma of worship
That rises to Your throne.
A Pure Heart
Nelson, Rusty
© 1992 Integrity's Hosanna! Music (c/o Integrity Music, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, February 25, 2011
Fidelity is about more than where you will sleep tonight
This CoffeeBreak is not warmly inspirational. It wasn’t fun to write. But, like Ezekiel of old, I feel a call to be a watchman, to issue a warning.
American culture has so blurred the lines of morality that many are confused about what is wrong. Even among Christians, many are ignorant of God’s demands of His people. So, let me talk frankly today. Are you married? Then, you are in a covenant that includes Christ as the third Person who stands as the witness to your fidelity to your spouse. God calls us to keep our hearts exclusively for our spouse and our bodies only for them, as well. It has been this way from the very first. The Creation account teaches us: "Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” … So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’ ” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." (Genesis 2:18-24, NLT)
There are numerous reasons for preserving fidelity in marriage, not the least of which is that the marital covenant is a living illustration of God's relationship with His people - the Church. Through the grace of Christ, we are married to Him, His beloved Bride, called to spirituality fidelity. The expectation of faithfulness to God precedes Christianity. Moses told Israel that the LORD wanted an exclusive relationship with them. "Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." (Deuteronomy 4:23-24, NIV) The Decalogue begins with the stark and clear command - Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me." When Israel strayed to follow other gods, the Lord called it spiritual adultery.
Our marriages are to reflect God’s grace and wholeness. We read this in Ephesians: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church." (Ephesians 5:31-32, NIV) A Christian who does not honor his or her vows not only dishonors the spouse, they dishonor God. But, where love is deep and disciplined with fidelity, God is revealed before the world, for He is love!
Adultery is a word loaded with pain! When a spouse discovers that the person they love has become involved emotionally and/or sexually with another, it causes deep sorrow, a sense of terrible loss, and sometimes even murderous rage. Why? Because adultery is a basic betrayal. The pain it causes rips through families like a tsunami bringing devastation. The story of David, a man who loved God and wrote some of our best worship songs (the Psalms) includes a sordid episode of infidelity. One night this king allowed himself to entertain a friend’s wife for dinner. His sexual desire overcame his self-control and Bathsheba became pregnant. When the whole thing was over, Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, was dead. David’s sin was forgiven when he finally confessed, but Nathan, God’s messenger, warned him that he had destroyed the trust of his sons and as a result, "your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own." (2 Samuel 12:10, NLT)
David ignored the lesser boundaries that were in place to protect him from his lust. Because he ran through those stop signs, he found himself in a situation where he was overcome by desire. John Mayhall describes the choices that are made before adultery actually happens as ‘leaks.’ He writes: The “leaks” leading up to sexual infidelity include:
• a feeling that you can talk to a particular person of the opposite sex more freely—and with more understanding—than you can talk with your spouse
• a stirring of the senses when you think about or anticipate seeing a particular person
• an interest in pornography
• unhappiness and dissatisfaction with the physical side of your marriage.
-(Discipleship Journal : Issue 75. 1999)
Here’s a word from the Word. May the Spirit cause it to take root in us, guiding our choices for the glory of our God.
"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:18-21, NLT)
____________________________________
God, our Husband and our Lover,
we pray for a true heart that loves You.
As a sin-filled world and
the Devil sing their seductive songs,
help us to hear Your song of love alone.
In a culture that worships sexuality,
We pray for protection, and
For the clarity of the Spirit to keep us
From deception.
Lord, as you love us deeply,
Help us to love.
Teach us to cherish our marriages,
To love even when it’s hard,
To forgive often,
And to go home – with our heart and body.
We pray this in the Name of Jesus, that You will be honored by our lives.
Amen.
American culture has so blurred the lines of morality that many are confused about what is wrong. Even among Christians, many are ignorant of God’s demands of His people. So, let me talk frankly today. Are you married? Then, you are in a covenant that includes Christ as the third Person who stands as the witness to your fidelity to your spouse. God calls us to keep our hearts exclusively for our spouse and our bodies only for them, as well. It has been this way from the very first. The Creation account teaches us: "Then the Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper who is just right for him.” … So the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep. While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man’s ribs and closed up the opening. Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib, and he brought her to the man. “At last!” the man exclaimed. “This one is bone from my bone, and flesh from my flesh! She will be called ‘woman,’ because she was taken from ‘man.’ ” This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one." (Genesis 2:18-24, NLT)
There are numerous reasons for preserving fidelity in marriage, not the least of which is that the marital covenant is a living illustration of God's relationship with His people - the Church. Through the grace of Christ, we are married to Him, His beloved Bride, called to spirituality fidelity. The expectation of faithfulness to God precedes Christianity. Moses told Israel that the LORD wanted an exclusive relationship with them. "Be careful not to forget the covenant of the Lord your God that he made with you; do not make for yourselves an idol in the form of anything the Lord your God has forbidden. For the Lord your God is a consuming fire, a jealous God." (Deuteronomy 4:23-24, NIV) The Decalogue begins with the stark and clear command - Exodus 20:3 "You shall have no other gods before me." When Israel strayed to follow other gods, the Lord called it spiritual adultery.
Our marriages are to reflect God’s grace and wholeness. We read this in Ephesians: “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” This is a profound mystery—but I am talking about Christ and the church." (Ephesians 5:31-32, NIV) A Christian who does not honor his or her vows not only dishonors the spouse, they dishonor God. But, where love is deep and disciplined with fidelity, God is revealed before the world, for He is love!
Adultery is a word loaded with pain! When a spouse discovers that the person they love has become involved emotionally and/or sexually with another, it causes deep sorrow, a sense of terrible loss, and sometimes even murderous rage. Why? Because adultery is a basic betrayal. The pain it causes rips through families like a tsunami bringing devastation. The story of David, a man who loved God and wrote some of our best worship songs (the Psalms) includes a sordid episode of infidelity. One night this king allowed himself to entertain a friend’s wife for dinner. His sexual desire overcame his self-control and Bathsheba became pregnant. When the whole thing was over, Uriah, Bathsheba’s husband, was dead. David’s sin was forgiven when he finally confessed, but Nathan, God’s messenger, warned him that he had destroyed the trust of his sons and as a result, "your family will live by the sword because you have despised me by taking Uriah’s wife to be your own." (2 Samuel 12:10, NLT)
David ignored the lesser boundaries that were in place to protect him from his lust. Because he ran through those stop signs, he found himself in a situation where he was overcome by desire. John Mayhall describes the choices that are made before adultery actually happens as ‘leaks.’ He writes: The “leaks” leading up to sexual infidelity include:
• a feeling that you can talk to a particular person of the opposite sex more freely—and with more understanding—than you can talk with your spouse
• a stirring of the senses when you think about or anticipate seeing a particular person
• an interest in pornography
• unhappiness and dissatisfaction with the physical side of your marriage.
-(Discipleship Journal : Issue 75. 1999)
Here’s a word from the Word. May the Spirit cause it to take root in us, guiding our choices for the glory of our God.
"Run from sexual sin! No other sin so clearly affects the body as this one does. For sexual immorality is a sin against your own body. Don’t you realize that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit, who lives in you and was given to you by God? You do not belong to yourself, for God bought you with a high price. So you must honor God with your body." (1 Corinthians 6:18-21, NLT)
____________________________________
God, our Husband and our Lover,
we pray for a true heart that loves You.
As a sin-filled world and
the Devil sing their seductive songs,
help us to hear Your song of love alone.
In a culture that worships sexuality,
We pray for protection, and
For the clarity of the Spirit to keep us
From deception.
Lord, as you love us deeply,
Help us to love.
Teach us to cherish our marriages,
To love even when it’s hard,
To forgive often,
And to go home – with our heart and body.
We pray this in the Name of Jesus, that You will be honored by our lives.
Amen.
Thursday, February 24, 2011
Sunk or soaring?
Sometimes my life resembles an emotional earthquake! You, too? Are you afraid? Feeling lost? Confused and confounded? There are plenty of reasons for fear. Things we assumed were unshakeable are changing! Our political scene is chaotic both in these United States and in the world. The economy is stalled and prospects for a quick return to prosperity are not in sight. Our government is broke. Some say the dollar is going to rapidly devalue over the next two years. Socially, there are huge challenges in the area of marriage and family.
One might look at these issues and choose to downplay and/or dismiss them: "Change is constant and life turns out just fine." That's only partially true. Life always changes, to be sure, but things don't always turn out for the best! Nations do collapse, families are destroyed, people die. Indifference is not a real option.
We can try to turn off the alarms. There are many ways to drown the sirens that signal distress.
-Turn life into a party! "Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die!"
-Work hard! We can become consumed in what we do and for a time succeed in ignoring the fear that stalks us.
-Get religious! Some people use religious practice like a mind-numbing drub to AVOID engaging with life's problems. Marx called religion the “opiate of the masses.”
God offers real peace to those who deal with fear in His way! We meet fear with faith. If we try to secure ourselves by performing at an ever higher level, or by seeking affirmation from other people, or by pushing away from intimate involvement with others (isolation); we will only increase our fear. But, if we make the active choice to trust God we move from the instability of reacting to our fears to the steady mature endurance that helps us to hold onto the Lord’s way through Hell and high water.
Isaiah was inspired, at a time when terrible crisis loomed before God’s people, to remind them of the way to true peace. Take a look. Read it slowly, with understanding, even if it is familiar to you. "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV)
We can soar if we make the choice to meet fear with faith. What is a better picture of freedom than an eagle with wings spread, being carried aloft by the currents of the wind? The Wind of the Spirit will lift us, if we choose to release our fear and embrace His promises. Trust is active, not passive. We look to the Lord to lead. We actively listen for the Spirit's inner voice. We are students of the Scriptures. We conscientiously choose to meet the circumstance of life with integrity. We turn our life to Him, prayerfully committing this day's decisions to His guidance. We stop fretting and ask Him to help us to stand with courage while we wait to see what He's up to!
In this, we are not exempted from troubles, but we gain the assurance we are secure in the Father's embrace and that even death itself cannot separate us from the Father's love! Today, look up and pray:
"Father in Heaven, be the Lord of this day! I choose to trust You. Grant me courage. Settle my soul with your divine Presence so that I will live on purpose and proactively. Keep me from reacting to my fears and help me to respond to Your call. In Jesus’ holy Name, I ask this. Amen." Then, take His strength and go live with courage.
___________________
In 1950, a preacher songwriter named Ira Stanphill faced some huge personal problems and tragedies. From the dark moments emerged this poem which became a well loved Gospel song of that era. A few years ago, country singer, Leann Rimes re-released it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fXin6ofsc8
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
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.
© 1950 Singspiration Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) CCLI License No. 810055
One might look at these issues and choose to downplay and/or dismiss them: "Change is constant and life turns out just fine." That's only partially true. Life always changes, to be sure, but things don't always turn out for the best! Nations do collapse, families are destroyed, people die. Indifference is not a real option.
We can try to turn off the alarms. There are many ways to drown the sirens that signal distress.
-Turn life into a party! "Eat, drink, and be merry for tomorrow we die!"
-Work hard! We can become consumed in what we do and for a time succeed in ignoring the fear that stalks us.
-Get religious! Some people use religious practice like a mind-numbing drub to AVOID engaging with life's problems. Marx called religion the “opiate of the masses.”
God offers real peace to those who deal with fear in His way! We meet fear with faith. If we try to secure ourselves by performing at an ever higher level, or by seeking affirmation from other people, or by pushing away from intimate involvement with others (isolation); we will only increase our fear. But, if we make the active choice to trust God we move from the instability of reacting to our fears to the steady mature endurance that helps us to hold onto the Lord’s way through Hell and high water.
Isaiah was inspired, at a time when terrible crisis loomed before God’s people, to remind them of the way to true peace. Take a look. Read it slowly, with understanding, even if it is familiar to you. "Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." (Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV)
We can soar if we make the choice to meet fear with faith. What is a better picture of freedom than an eagle with wings spread, being carried aloft by the currents of the wind? The Wind of the Spirit will lift us, if we choose to release our fear and embrace His promises. Trust is active, not passive. We look to the Lord to lead. We actively listen for the Spirit's inner voice. We are students of the Scriptures. We conscientiously choose to meet the circumstance of life with integrity. We turn our life to Him, prayerfully committing this day's decisions to His guidance. We stop fretting and ask Him to help us to stand with courage while we wait to see what He's up to!
In this, we are not exempted from troubles, but we gain the assurance we are secure in the Father's embrace and that even death itself cannot separate us from the Father's love! Today, look up and pray:
"Father in Heaven, be the Lord of this day! I choose to trust You. Grant me courage. Settle my soul with your divine Presence so that I will live on purpose and proactively. Keep me from reacting to my fears and help me to respond to Your call. In Jesus’ holy Name, I ask this. Amen." Then, take His strength and go live with courage.
___________________
In 1950, a preacher songwriter named Ira Stanphill faced some huge personal problems and tragedies. From the dark moments emerged this poem which became a well loved Gospel song of that era. A few years ago, country singer, Leann Rimes re-released it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7fXin6ofsc8
I Know Who Holds Tomorrow
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.
© 1950 Singspiration Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) CCLI License No. 810055
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Father; yes He is 'Abba'
Few things in life predict a future of success and/or security like having a loving, involved Dad! Being fatherless can make a child insecure and lead to all kinds of self-destructive behaviors; rebellion, crime, and failure to achieve. In an interview on 60 Minutes, Senator Scott Brown (R – Massachusetts) recounted a childhood with several different step-fathers, a lot of abuse, and delinquency. Not having a strong father made him vulnerable in many ways, including being sexually molested by a camp counselor when he was an adolescent. Finding discipline in sports helped Brown turn his life around but the pain of fatherlessness is obviously still a factor in his life even after his successes.
Christians who accept and believe that God is their good Father gain a great blessing. Many who worship and serve the Lord call Him Father, but do not love Him as such, nor do they really trust Him to care for them with a father’s love. They relate to God as a Boss, as a Judge, or as a Source; but not as their ‘Abba.’ (A Biblical word for Daddy) The Word urges us to love our Father in Heaven familiarly, calling Him “Dad” as a beloved child would. "You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children." (Romans 8:15-16, NLT)
Jesus explains our most basic relationship with God by teaching us to address Him as “Our Father in heaven.” He goes on to tell us of His care. “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." (Matthew 7:9-11, NLT)
Then, too, the Word reminds us that like a good earthly father, our Father also disciplines us! "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!" (Hebrews 12:7-9, NIV)
Are you scrambling to live self-sufficiently, like a orphan, trying to protect yourself, unable to trust the care of One more powerful?
Were you poorly or sinfully fathered so that it is hard for you to relate to God as “Abba?”
Go again to the Scripture and read of the Father-heart of God. Ask the Spirit to reveal the depth of your Father’s love to you, to help you to grasp that He is not the looming Authority Figure trying to catch you in failure so He can punish you; but rather that He is the Waiting Father, whose grace is amazing, whose mercy is deep and wide, and who acts always for your ultimate good. When that is settled into your heart and mind, you will pray with more faith, live with more peace, and live a holy life that grows from intimate love of the Father.
"Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and
forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:9-13, NLT)
__________________
This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears;
All nature sings and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world;
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world,
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father's world;
The battle is not done;
Jesus, who died, shall be satisfied,
And earth and heaven be one.
This Is My Father's World
Babcock, Maltbie D. / Sheppard, Franklin
© Public Domain
Christians who accept and believe that God is their good Father gain a great blessing. Many who worship and serve the Lord call Him Father, but do not love Him as such, nor do they really trust Him to care for them with a father’s love. They relate to God as a Boss, as a Judge, or as a Source; but not as their ‘Abba.’ (A Biblical word for Daddy) The Word urges us to love our Father in Heaven familiarly, calling Him “Dad” as a beloved child would. "You have not received a spirit that makes you fearful slaves. Instead, you received God’s Spirit when he adopted you as his own children. Now we call him, “Abba, Father.” For his Spirit joins with our spirit to affirm that we are God’s children." (Romans 8:15-16, NLT)
Jesus explains our most basic relationship with God by teaching us to address Him as “Our Father in heaven.” He goes on to tell us of His care. “You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." (Matthew 7:9-11, NLT)
Then, too, the Word reminds us that like a good earthly father, our Father also disciplines us! "Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as sons. For what son is not disciplined by his father? If you are not disciplined (and everyone undergoes discipline), then you are illegitimate children and not true sons. Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of our spirits and live!" (Hebrews 12:7-9, NIV)
Are you scrambling to live self-sufficiently, like a orphan, trying to protect yourself, unable to trust the care of One more powerful?
Were you poorly or sinfully fathered so that it is hard for you to relate to God as “Abba?”
Go again to the Scripture and read of the Father-heart of God. Ask the Spirit to reveal the depth of your Father’s love to you, to help you to grasp that He is not the looming Authority Figure trying to catch you in failure so He can punish you; but rather that He is the Waiting Father, whose grace is amazing, whose mercy is deep and wide, and who acts always for your ultimate good. When that is settled into your heart and mind, you will pray with more faith, live with more peace, and live a holy life that grows from intimate love of the Father.
"Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and
forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:9-13, NLT)
__________________
This is my Father's world,
And to my listening ears;
All nature sings and round me rings
The music of the spheres.
This is my Father's world;
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas;
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world,
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong,
God is the Ruler yet.
This is my Father's world;
The battle is not done;
Jesus, who died, shall be satisfied,
And earth and heaven be one.
This Is My Father's World
Babcock, Maltbie D. / Sheppard, Franklin
© Public Domain
Monday, February 21, 2011
"Oh, those idiots!" Fuming and Fussing?
Mark Batterson tells about hearing a speaker named Denis Waitley talk about how he came to live with radically adjusted priorities. Waitley arrived at the Chicago airport and was delayed. When he finally reached the gate the door was being closed. In spite of all his threats and pleas, the gate agent would not allow him onto the aircraft for Los Angeles. He rushed back to the ticket counter prepared to register an angry complaint and re-schedule his flight. Just as he was about to reach the agent, the announcement came that the flight had crashed on take-off, killing all those aboard. Waitley never even turned in his ticket, preferring to keep it ‘as an unforgettable reminder that life is a gift that should never be taken for granted.’ - Soulprints, Multnomah Press, 2011
In the complex world that we live in, I can guarantee that sometime, somewhere, in some way, nearly everyday, we will find ourselves in situations that are not going the way we think they ought to go. Traffic will come to a standstill, keeping us from an important meeting. Our cell phone will go dead just when we have to get a call to the office and we will discover that we forget the charger at home that morning. Our PC will lock up the very hour that our presentation is due. The morning we feel most fragile, our spouse will respond to our need for affirmation with a blast of criticism. The list goes on and on. Are we so in love with ourselves and our agenda that we will give vent to a temper tantrum, treat one of God’s treasures to our word full of contempt, or even shake our puny fist at God for making our life difficult?
I confess that I have been that angry man too many times in my life. I cannot shake the memory of a June Sunday in 1995, when, following church services, we were rushing to our eldest son’s high school graduation. I wish I remembered the day for the joy of his achievement, but instead with terrible regret, I recall bullying everyone; frustrated because some were not moving fast enough to suit me! I got us to the event on time, but my emotions were so ragged, I didn’t really enjoy it! That’s just one memory of too many. I am thankful that those kinds of outburst are much fewer these days. Perhaps I’ve just mellowed with age, but I think the truth is that I have come to realize that my life is not my own. Someone much bigger is in charge of my life and He is able to direct my footsteps and even use the mess ups and missed flights to accomplish His purposes for me.
Near the end of his life, Paul wrote to young Timothy (and to us!) with these inspired words. He was not in a good place. He was not spending his golden years in a villa on the Med, sipping cool drinks and soaking up the sun! He was in a dungeon in Rome, falsely accused of sedition, and facing execution. But, instead of fuming and fussing, take a look at the attitude of a man whose was submitted to the Spirit’s control. "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." (2 Timothy 1:12, NIV)
This kind of calm assurance was a life pattern for this man. It wasn’t that he lacked fiery passion. He was highly motivated to spread the good news of the Kingdom across the Roman Empire. But, he also knew that his life belonged to Another. By faith, he chose to accept that the things that appeared to be detours were actually unforeseen opportunities. During an earlier imprisonment, he took note of God’s ability to use his confinement. "I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah." (Philippians 1:12-14, The Message)
Stop right now, wherever you are, and honestly thank God that nothing that is happening to you right now is surprising Him! Take your frustration- big or small – and offer it to Him. Surrender! I mean it. Let the tears spill. Shout, if you must. Don’t give yourself any excuse. Confess that selfishness and thank Him for the privilege of walking through the stuff you’re dealing with today with Him in the lead. Let God, be God.
Here’s a word from the Word.
"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil." (James 4:14-16, NLT)
___________________
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness
All I have to do is follow
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness
All I have to do is follow
Strength for today is mine always
And all that I need for tomorrow
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness
All I have to do is follow
My Lord Knows the Way Through the Wilderness
Word and music: Sidney E Cox
In the complex world that we live in, I can guarantee that sometime, somewhere, in some way, nearly everyday, we will find ourselves in situations that are not going the way we think they ought to go. Traffic will come to a standstill, keeping us from an important meeting. Our cell phone will go dead just when we have to get a call to the office and we will discover that we forget the charger at home that morning. Our PC will lock up the very hour that our presentation is due. The morning we feel most fragile, our spouse will respond to our need for affirmation with a blast of criticism. The list goes on and on. Are we so in love with ourselves and our agenda that we will give vent to a temper tantrum, treat one of God’s treasures to our word full of contempt, or even shake our puny fist at God for making our life difficult?
I confess that I have been that angry man too many times in my life. I cannot shake the memory of a June Sunday in 1995, when, following church services, we were rushing to our eldest son’s high school graduation. I wish I remembered the day for the joy of his achievement, but instead with terrible regret, I recall bullying everyone; frustrated because some were not moving fast enough to suit me! I got us to the event on time, but my emotions were so ragged, I didn’t really enjoy it! That’s just one memory of too many. I am thankful that those kinds of outburst are much fewer these days. Perhaps I’ve just mellowed with age, but I think the truth is that I have come to realize that my life is not my own. Someone much bigger is in charge of my life and He is able to direct my footsteps and even use the mess ups and missed flights to accomplish His purposes for me.
Near the end of his life, Paul wrote to young Timothy (and to us!) with these inspired words. He was not in a good place. He was not spending his golden years in a villa on the Med, sipping cool drinks and soaking up the sun! He was in a dungeon in Rome, falsely accused of sedition, and facing execution. But, instead of fuming and fussing, take a look at the attitude of a man whose was submitted to the Spirit’s control. "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." (2 Timothy 1:12, NIV)
This kind of calm assurance was a life pattern for this man. It wasn’t that he lacked fiery passion. He was highly motivated to spread the good news of the Kingdom across the Roman Empire. But, he also knew that his life belonged to Another. By faith, he chose to accept that the things that appeared to be detours were actually unforeseen opportunities. During an earlier imprisonment, he took note of God’s ability to use his confinement. "I want to report to you, friends, that my imprisonment here has had the opposite of its intended effect. Instead of being squelched, the Message has actually prospered. All the soldiers here, and everyone else, too, found out that I’m in jail because of this Messiah. That piqued their curiosity, and now they’ve learned all about him. Not only that, but most of the followers of Jesus here have become far more sure of themselves in the faith than ever, speaking out fearlessly about God, about the Messiah." (Philippians 1:12-14, The Message)
Stop right now, wherever you are, and honestly thank God that nothing that is happening to you right now is surprising Him! Take your frustration- big or small – and offer it to Him. Surrender! I mean it. Let the tears spill. Shout, if you must. Don’t give yourself any excuse. Confess that selfishness and thank Him for the privilege of walking through the stuff you’re dealing with today with Him in the lead. Let God, be God.
Here’s a word from the Word.
"How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” Otherwise you are boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil." (James 4:14-16, NLT)
___________________
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness
All I have to do is follow
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness
All I have to do is follow
Strength for today is mine always
And all that I need for tomorrow
My Lord knows the way through the wilderness
All I have to do is follow
My Lord Knows the Way Through the Wilderness
Word and music: Sidney E Cox
Friday, February 18, 2011
It's a 'faith thing'
She’s only 6 and her question to me was, “I want Jesus to live in my heart. How can I know He is there?” Exploring the subject of knowing God’s Presence with a child is fun! I told her it was a ‘faith thing.’ Her little eyes told me that wasn’t enough, so I asked her if her Mom had any cans of food in their kitchen. Of course they did, so I followed up by asking her about what you find inside a can that is marked ‘corn.’ You don’t find green beans, right? She giggled. The thought of beans in a can of corn was silly. Even she knows that she can have ‘faith’ that the can holds what the label says. It’s not a perfect illustration, but it’s a start to help a child understand the concept of trusting God.
We all practice faith in hundreds of ways every day. We flip the light switch fully expecting the lights to come on, even though we can’t see the electricity flowing into our homes. We put our money in the bank with faith that we will get it back. We say, “I do,” to the person we love, believing they will keep the covenant. In each situation, our faith could be disappointed because it is not a perfect world. But when it comes to the promise of the Presence of God, there is no possibility of failure! Ah, but that does not mean that He will exempt those who love Him from walking through valleys, deep and dark. He does say, "I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, The Message)
There is something that little disciple will come to know all too soon. There is one thing that will certainly drive her to the arms of the Savior; suffering! She will, as she matures, discover that there is pain in life. People fail to keep their promises. Bodies break down with age and/or disease. Plans unravel when circumstances beyond our control or anticipation intrude. Unexplained sorrows are part of the human experience. In those times she will have the choice, as each of us does, to trust God more deeply and find the comfort of His Spirit. The Word says that our suffering in this sin-broken world, creates an opening for God’s grace to pour into us. "Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:1-5, NIV)
Are you asking, “How can I know He’s there?” Has the pressure of life made you wonder if God has abandoned you? He has not! Sometimes our walk with Him is a ‘faith thing!’ We trust Him, even when we cannot see what He’s doing or even sense that He is there. "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." (Hebrews 11:1, NLT)
Here’s a word from the Lament of Jeremiah. Jerusalem was destroyed. The Temple was rubble. The people of the Lord were captives of a pagan nation. The prophet’s heart was broken and it seemed, to every appearance, that the Lord God had utterly forsaken him. May his faith inspire more in us.
"But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.
God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God.
It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick it out through the hard times.
When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The “worst” is never the worst.
Why? Because the Master won’t ever walk out and fail to return." (Lamentations 3:21-31, The Message)
______________
Natalie Grant sings "Held"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-hJ87ApWtw
Two months is too little, they let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling
Who told us we’d be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
We’re asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it’s unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We’d be held
This hand is bitterness, We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We’d be held
If hope if born of suffering, If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait for one hour
Watching for our Savior
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We’d be held
Held – Christa Wells
Performed by Natalie Grant
We all practice faith in hundreds of ways every day. We flip the light switch fully expecting the lights to come on, even though we can’t see the electricity flowing into our homes. We put our money in the bank with faith that we will get it back. We say, “I do,” to the person we love, believing they will keep the covenant. In each situation, our faith could be disappointed because it is not a perfect world. But when it comes to the promise of the Presence of God, there is no possibility of failure! Ah, but that does not mean that He will exempt those who love Him from walking through valleys, deep and dark. He does say, "I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, The Message)
There is something that little disciple will come to know all too soon. There is one thing that will certainly drive her to the arms of the Savior; suffering! She will, as she matures, discover that there is pain in life. People fail to keep their promises. Bodies break down with age and/or disease. Plans unravel when circumstances beyond our control or anticipation intrude. Unexplained sorrows are part of the human experience. In those times she will have the choice, as each of us does, to trust God more deeply and find the comfort of His Spirit. The Word says that our suffering in this sin-broken world, creates an opening for God’s grace to pour into us. "Since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us." (Romans 5:1-5, NIV)
Are you asking, “How can I know He’s there?” Has the pressure of life made you wonder if God has abandoned you? He has not! Sometimes our walk with Him is a ‘faith thing!’ We trust Him, even when we cannot see what He’s doing or even sense that He is there. "Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see." (Hebrews 11:1, NLT)
Here’s a word from the Lament of Jeremiah. Jerusalem was destroyed. The Temple was rubble. The people of the Lord were captives of a pagan nation. The prophet’s heart was broken and it seemed, to every appearance, that the Lord God had utterly forsaken him. May his faith inspire more in us.
"But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left.
God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God.
It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick it out through the hard times.
When life is heavy and hard to take, go off by yourself. Enter the silence. Bow in prayer. Don’t ask questions: Wait for hope to appear. Don’t run from trouble. Take it full-face. The “worst” is never the worst.
Why? Because the Master won’t ever walk out and fail to return." (Lamentations 3:21-31, The Message)
______________
Natalie Grant sings "Held"
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i-hJ87ApWtw
Two months is too little, they let him go
They had no sudden healing
To think that providence
Would take a child from his mother
While she prays, is appalling
Who told us we’d be rescued
What has changed and
Why should we be saved from nightmares
We’re asking why this happens to us
Who have died to live, it’s unfair
This is what it means to be held
How it feels when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We’d be held
This hand is bitterness, We want to taste it and
Let the hatred numb our sorrows
The wise hand opens slowly
To lilies of the valley and tomorrow
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We’d be held
If hope if born of suffering, If this is only the beginning
Can we not wait for one hour
Watching for our Savior
This is what it means to be held
How it feels, when the sacred is torn from your life
And you survive
This is what it is to be loved and to know
That the promise was that when everything fell
We’d be held
Held – Christa Wells
Performed by Natalie Grant
Thursday, February 17, 2011
You're Beautiful - Just the way you are
What is it in yourself you intensely dislike: your temper, the way you look, your personality, some chronic physical weakness, a handicap? You have likely prayed to be changed, healed, delivered... right? It is right and good to ask our Father for these things, but there are times when He will not take what we think to be a curse from us because it is that thing keeps us faithful to Him and/or provides for greater ministry opportunities.
At that very point of 'weakness' God has an opening into your life to do His greatest work in you and through you. I asked a friend who's been struggling through a severe time of testing recently, "How's are you doing?" I wasn't just being polite. I've prayed for him regularly and trusted God with him for freedom. His reply showed amazing spiritual insight. I'll paraphrase his reply -- "Jerry, God's presence is nearer to me now and I am discovering so many new things." As we talked for a few moments, he told me how he still wants to be healed, but that he is much more ready to trust how God works in the middle of the problem, too!
Paul was extraordinarily used of God. Because of his gifts, he was subject to pride, which could have destroyed him so the Lord gave him another ‘gift,’ that kept him God-aware and Spirit-reliant. Here’s what he told us about that: "I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, NLT) It is useless to speculate over Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' (NIV) but whatever it was, he disliked it enough to pray long and hard for healing. God said, "No! That thing is my gift to you to keep you leaning hard on my grace, not yourself.” Suffering, as much as we hate it, can be God’s leash that keeps us from running headlong into soul destroying situations.
Remember Jacob, the patriarch in Genesis? He wrestled with a heavenly messenger at the ford of Jabbok all night long. The encounter left him a changed man and limping! His limp reminded him of God's Presence!
We quickly develop illusions about our self- sufficiency, our 'deserving-ness,' our abilities - when our bank account is full to overflowing, our health is good, our kids are doing well, and no besetting sin is apparent. “What a good guy I am. God must surely bless me with more because I deserve it.” While we may not actually utter the prayer of the Pharisee, "God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican” (Luke 18:11 KJV) but we easily slip into thinking something like it, don’t we?
Self-righteousness stinks. It turns the fragrance of Christ’s grace into the stench of human religiosity. It turns us from child-like prayers of faith, to manipulative schemes to get our own way. It robs us of love and empathy and turns us into harsh judges who readily condemn others. “Why can’t they just get it right?” with the implied clause, “just like me.” We lack grace both inwardly and outwardly.
Go back to that thing in your life you would like to be rid of, that makes you feel pain, that drives you to your knees. Prayerfully consider, with the help and insight of the Spirit, whether God is giving you a 'gift' to keep you close to Him. Thank Him that He is greater than your weakness and present Him with your 'problem,' inviting Him to remove it or use it -- in keeping with His eternal purposes. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” As you discover more about Jesus and His wonderful love for you, watch His joy begin to fill your heart and mind.
________________________________
Days will come when you don’t have the strength
Wondering if you ever could be loved,
If they ever truly saw your heart
They’d see too much
You're beautiful, You're beautiful,
You are made so much more than all of this.
You're beautiful, You're beautiful,
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His.
You're beautiful!
I'm praying that you have the heart to find
‘Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross
Before you ever took a breath
Long the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You’re the one He madly loves
Enough to die!
You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful
In His eyes!
- Mercy Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6pS5HCkgPI
At that very point of 'weakness' God has an opening into your life to do His greatest work in you and through you. I asked a friend who's been struggling through a severe time of testing recently, "How's are you doing?" I wasn't just being polite. I've prayed for him regularly and trusted God with him for freedom. His reply showed amazing spiritual insight. I'll paraphrase his reply -- "Jerry, God's presence is nearer to me now and I am discovering so many new things." As we talked for a few moments, he told me how he still wants to be healed, but that he is much more ready to trust how God works in the middle of the problem, too!
Paul was extraordinarily used of God. Because of his gifts, he was subject to pride, which could have destroyed him so the Lord gave him another ‘gift,’ that kept him God-aware and Spirit-reliant. Here’s what he told us about that: "I have received such wonderful revelations from God. So to keep me from becoming proud, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger from Satan to torment me and keep me from becoming proud. Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away. Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me. That’s why I take pleasure in my weaknesses, and in the insults, hardships, persecutions, and troubles that I suffer for Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong." (2 Corinthians 12:7-10, NLT) It is useless to speculate over Paul's 'thorn in the flesh' (NIV) but whatever it was, he disliked it enough to pray long and hard for healing. God said, "No! That thing is my gift to you to keep you leaning hard on my grace, not yourself.” Suffering, as much as we hate it, can be God’s leash that keeps us from running headlong into soul destroying situations.
Remember Jacob, the patriarch in Genesis? He wrestled with a heavenly messenger at the ford of Jabbok all night long. The encounter left him a changed man and limping! His limp reminded him of God's Presence!
We quickly develop illusions about our self- sufficiency, our 'deserving-ness,' our abilities - when our bank account is full to overflowing, our health is good, our kids are doing well, and no besetting sin is apparent. “What a good guy I am. God must surely bless me with more because I deserve it.” While we may not actually utter the prayer of the Pharisee, "God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican” (Luke 18:11 KJV) but we easily slip into thinking something like it, don’t we?
Self-righteousness stinks. It turns the fragrance of Christ’s grace into the stench of human religiosity. It turns us from child-like prayers of faith, to manipulative schemes to get our own way. It robs us of love and empathy and turns us into harsh judges who readily condemn others. “Why can’t they just get it right?” with the implied clause, “just like me.” We lack grace both inwardly and outwardly.
Go back to that thing in your life you would like to be rid of, that makes you feel pain, that drives you to your knees. Prayerfully consider, with the help and insight of the Spirit, whether God is giving you a 'gift' to keep you close to Him. Thank Him that He is greater than your weakness and present Him with your 'problem,' inviting Him to remove it or use it -- in keeping with His eternal purposes. “For when I am weak, then I am strong.” As you discover more about Jesus and His wonderful love for you, watch His joy begin to fill your heart and mind.
________________________________
Days will come when you don’t have the strength
Wondering if you ever could be loved,
If they ever truly saw your heart
They’d see too much
You're beautiful, You're beautiful,
You are made so much more than all of this.
You're beautiful, You're beautiful,
You are treasured, You are sacred, You are His.
You're beautiful!
I'm praying that you have the heart to find
‘Cause you are more than what is hurting you tonight
For all the lies you've held inside so long
And they are nothing in the shadow of the cross
Before you ever took a breath
Long the world began
Of all the wonders He possessed
There was one more precious
Of all the earth and skies above
You’re the one He madly loves
Enough to die!
You’re beautiful, You’re beautiful
In His eyes!
- Mercy Me
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z6pS5HCkgPI
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Conceit of Competence
Are you a conceited Christian? Most of us begin our faith walk with God in desperation; our cry like that of an infant. “Oh, God, help me!” In a short time, when we’re back on our feet, doing good, the temptation comes ‘round to start believing how great we’re doing. Unconsciously the focus shifts from 'I serve at the Lord’s pleasure,' to 'Lord, do this, please.' Yes, I am writing autobiographically here. Perhaps that is one reason God lets my path take me through dark valleys and difficult days. He needs to remind me to trust Him- wholly.
Ben Patterson, a fellow pastor, mentored me with his writing over the years, sharing authentically and transparently, his journey of faith and ministry. His conceit was revealed to him during a life trial.
• "For 6 weeks I was totally out of commission. During that time I crossed a frontier in my prayer life... toward the end of my convalescence, I had a conversation with the Lord that went something like this: 'These times of prayer have been sweet. I've actually had time to pray for every single person in this congregation, every day. It's too bad I won't have time to do this when I get back to work.' The Lord's reply was quick and blunt. 'Stupid, you have the same 24 hours when you're well as when you are sick. The trouble with you, Ben, is that when you're well, you think you're in charge; when you're sick you know you're not.' " - Leadership, Winter, 2005
Do you ever mistake activity for genuine work, doing things for accomplishing something real? The conceited Christian will quickly burn out, grow disgusted and ill-tempered - not because God asks too much of him, but because he does not ask enough of God! Convinced of his own competence, he takes charge, and charges after his own agenda, not the Lord’s. Listen to how many times the personal pronoun “I” creeps into your conversation. If you or I are convinced that we are getting God’s work done, all by ourselves, ugly things start to happen in us, around us, and yes; because of us! Failing to seek God's ability, we become frustrated by our inability. The Bible turns us again to His sufficiency!
Take a look: "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for He grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalm 127:1-2, NIV)
We need to know this:
Whatever callings and gifts we may have, they are of little use and less effect apart from the grace and power of God!
God called Moses to greatness while he was a failed prince and fugitive murderer, living in exile, tending a flock of sheep on the backside of the desert. The LORD told him to go back to Egypt and to prepare the people to return to the Promised Land. It was a tough assignment! He wondered how would he inspire a people enslaved by a powerful nation to leave behind the lives they had formed for centuries in the land of Egypt? Creating a new vision for a nation is a daunting challenge! Knowing that there was no 'up side' for the king to release his work force, Moses could see no earthly reason that the Pharaoh would let Israel go. So, Moses refuses the commission of God, at first, proclaiming himself unfit and unable. After, God shows him His power, he surrendered himself to the will of God, asking a question that intrigues me: "Who should I tell these people has sent me? What's your Name?" The LORD reveals His majesty saying, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ (Exodus 3:14, NKJV)
We who would do God’s work in this world need to go to that place of commissioning again and again. We are sent by “The Self-Existent One, The One Without First Cause.- the Great I AM!” He asks much of us; our very lives! He requires that we use the gifts He's given to us diligently, and that we press on to do His work and His will. BUT, He doesn't not leave us without resources, orphaned, or desperate. Jesus promised to be with us, by the Spirit, "day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, The Message)
How are you responding to God today?
Are you living in the conceit of your own intellect, education, skills, or charisma?
Are you trying to get Him to help you do your work, OR are you letting go of control and putting yourself at His disposal to do His work?
Thank God for the resources you have, then place them at His command. It’s amazing what God can do with us. Let’s let Him.
__________________________
Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with holy fear.
I wanna take Your Word
And shine it all around.
First help me just to live it, Lord!
And when I'm doing well,
Help me to never seek a crown,
For my reward is giving glory to You.
Oh Lord You're Beautiful-- Green, Keith
© 1980 Birdwing Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) / BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
Ben Patterson, a fellow pastor, mentored me with his writing over the years, sharing authentically and transparently, his journey of faith and ministry. His conceit was revealed to him during a life trial.
• "For 6 weeks I was totally out of commission. During that time I crossed a frontier in my prayer life... toward the end of my convalescence, I had a conversation with the Lord that went something like this: 'These times of prayer have been sweet. I've actually had time to pray for every single person in this congregation, every day. It's too bad I won't have time to do this when I get back to work.' The Lord's reply was quick and blunt. 'Stupid, you have the same 24 hours when you're well as when you are sick. The trouble with you, Ben, is that when you're well, you think you're in charge; when you're sick you know you're not.' " - Leadership, Winter, 2005
Do you ever mistake activity for genuine work, doing things for accomplishing something real? The conceited Christian will quickly burn out, grow disgusted and ill-tempered - not because God asks too much of him, but because he does not ask enough of God! Convinced of his own competence, he takes charge, and charges after his own agenda, not the Lord’s. Listen to how many times the personal pronoun “I” creeps into your conversation. If you or I are convinced that we are getting God’s work done, all by ourselves, ugly things start to happen in us, around us, and yes; because of us! Failing to seek God's ability, we become frustrated by our inability. The Bible turns us again to His sufficiency!
Take a look: "Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain. In vain you rise early and stay up late, toiling for food to eat— for He grants sleep to those he loves." (Psalm 127:1-2, NIV)
We need to know this:
Whatever callings and gifts we may have, they are of little use and less effect apart from the grace and power of God!
God called Moses to greatness while he was a failed prince and fugitive murderer, living in exile, tending a flock of sheep on the backside of the desert. The LORD told him to go back to Egypt and to prepare the people to return to the Promised Land. It was a tough assignment! He wondered how would he inspire a people enslaved by a powerful nation to leave behind the lives they had formed for centuries in the land of Egypt? Creating a new vision for a nation is a daunting challenge! Knowing that there was no 'up side' for the king to release his work force, Moses could see no earthly reason that the Pharaoh would let Israel go. So, Moses refuses the commission of God, at first, proclaiming himself unfit and unable. After, God shows him His power, he surrendered himself to the will of God, asking a question that intrigues me: "Who should I tell these people has sent me? What's your Name?" The LORD reveals His majesty saying, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ (Exodus 3:14, NKJV)
We who would do God’s work in this world need to go to that place of commissioning again and again. We are sent by “The Self-Existent One, The One Without First Cause.- the Great I AM!” He asks much of us; our very lives! He requires that we use the gifts He's given to us diligently, and that we press on to do His work and His will. BUT, He doesn't not leave us without resources, orphaned, or desperate. Jesus promised to be with us, by the Spirit, "day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, The Message)
How are you responding to God today?
Are you living in the conceit of your own intellect, education, skills, or charisma?
Are you trying to get Him to help you do your work, OR are you letting go of control and putting yourself at His disposal to do His work?
Thank God for the resources you have, then place them at His command. It’s amazing what God can do with us. Let’s let Him.
__________________________
Oh Lord, You're beautiful,
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with holy fear.
I wanna take Your Word
And shine it all around.
First help me just to live it, Lord!
And when I'm doing well,
Help me to never seek a crown,
For my reward is giving glory to You.
Oh Lord You're Beautiful-- Green, Keith
© 1980 Birdwing Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) / BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
The right message?
The schoolyard game of ‘telephone’ can produce strange results. A phrase is whispered into the ear of one child, who then whispered what she heard into the ear of another. After the message is passed through 20 people the person who last heard it states what she heard. Is it the same as the original? Generally not. It gets garbled in transmission! Sometimes I feel like God’s Word is treated like that. He gives a perfect Word to us, but when we transmit it to others we run it through our filters and preconceptions until what they receive is nowhere near what He says.
When Dad died from cancer and then my Mom was diagnosed, I started to hear some of the strangest messages purporting to be a ‘from the Lord.’ Using isolated Bible verses and often not so sound methods of interpretation of the Word of God, well-intentioned Christians declare: “God is going to raise you up.” Usually that is accompanied by some condition: ‘if you repent of your hidden sin,’ or ‘if you have enough faith to receive your healing,’ or ‘if we can get enough people to pray for you,’ or ‘if…’ Being a lover of His Word, I am equally appalled and angered by the widespread abuse of the sacred text. When people mangle His Word, they do not create faith. They create confusion and diminish the glory of God!
A very strange paradox is that the very people who claim to ‘love God’s Word,’ and who hang onto the 1611 translation of the Bible called the ‘Authorized’ or ‘King James Version’ – so called because it was authorized by King James of England as the first widely distributed English translation of the Bible – are often guilty of the worst misinterpretations and misunderstandings of the Bible. Frequently they fail to account for the vast changes in the English language over 4 centuries and do not take advantage of the benefits of Bible scholarship that have allowed us to understand the Text more accurately in terms of context and nuance. Thus they read the text with good intent but do not ‘rightly divide the word of truth.’
Take that verse as an example. The KJV says - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV) So what is the first thing commanded in that verse? It means that God likes it when you hit the Book, being a real student, right? Well that’s a great idea, but that not really what the word ‘study’ meant back in 1611. The meaning of study back then was ‘work hard.’ A little digging into the text reveals that the actual command is ‘to be diligent, to work hard!’ So, newer translations give us the verse more accurately: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV)
Love the Word of God and like the ancient Jews who were called ‘people of the Book,’ handle it with care and reverence. Before you run off to tell somebody what God said after you read one verse, out of context, and with little understanding; take time to listen to the Spirit and to learn how to understand what God says. If you are a student of the Word, you will find that the Truth you find there is challenging, comforting, convicting, and never failing.
Here’s a word from the Word. Receive it with joy and submit your mind and heart to the Author of it.
"Remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-17, NLT)
______________
When Dad died from cancer and then my Mom was diagnosed, I started to hear some of the strangest messages purporting to be a ‘from the Lord.’ Using isolated Bible verses and often not so sound methods of interpretation of the Word of God, well-intentioned Christians declare: “God is going to raise you up.” Usually that is accompanied by some condition: ‘if you repent of your hidden sin,’ or ‘if you have enough faith to receive your healing,’ or ‘if we can get enough people to pray for you,’ or ‘if…’ Being a lover of His Word, I am equally appalled and angered by the widespread abuse of the sacred text. When people mangle His Word, they do not create faith. They create confusion and diminish the glory of God!
A very strange paradox is that the very people who claim to ‘love God’s Word,’ and who hang onto the 1611 translation of the Bible called the ‘Authorized’ or ‘King James Version’ – so called because it was authorized by King James of England as the first widely distributed English translation of the Bible – are often guilty of the worst misinterpretations and misunderstandings of the Bible. Frequently they fail to account for the vast changes in the English language over 4 centuries and do not take advantage of the benefits of Bible scholarship that have allowed us to understand the Text more accurately in terms of context and nuance. Thus they read the text with good intent but do not ‘rightly divide the word of truth.’
Take that verse as an example. The KJV says - "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, KJV) So what is the first thing commanded in that verse? It means that God likes it when you hit the Book, being a real student, right? Well that’s a great idea, but that not really what the word ‘study’ meant back in 1611. The meaning of study back then was ‘work hard.’ A little digging into the text reveals that the actual command is ‘to be diligent, to work hard!’ So, newer translations give us the verse more accurately: "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth." (2 Timothy 2:15, NIV)
Love the Word of God and like the ancient Jews who were called ‘people of the Book,’ handle it with care and reverence. Before you run off to tell somebody what God said after you read one verse, out of context, and with little understanding; take time to listen to the Spirit and to learn how to understand what God says. If you are a student of the Word, you will find that the Truth you find there is challenging, comforting, convicting, and never failing.
Here’s a word from the Word. Receive it with joy and submit your mind and heart to the Author of it.
"Remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you. You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus.
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives.
It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work." (2 Timothy 3:14-17, NLT)
______________
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Balloons, A Stuffed Bear, and Red Roses
I made a sweet trip yesterday with my little brother, Eddie, age 10. If you're a regular CoffeeBreak reader you know that my Mom is very ill with lung cancer, confined to her bedroom. Her illness is made all the more difficult to understand by the fact that she is still parenting the little ones that Dad and her adopted. Eddie is the youngest, the most active, and the most sensitive.
"Hey, buddy," I asked him, "would you like to go and get a Valentine gift for Momma?" So, off we went on Sunday afternoon.
"Should we buy flowers?" I queried. "Well, yeah, but red roses are classic and I want something different" he responded. We chatted about the merits of red roses for the day, an interesting topic to discuss with a 10 year old. We ended up with a huge three-part balloon array that spells out "I LOVE U" and a bouquet of pink roses mixed with other flowers. Just as we were leaving, he spotted a little stuffed bear with a red heart on it's chest in a mug decorated with a heart and a message of love. He determined it was a must-have for Mom! I had to hide my tears from him as he nearly burst with excitement, anticipating sharing his gift with his Mom, whose illness he seems strangely unable to comprehend.
$19 billion will be spent on Valentine's Day gifts according to a story I saw on CNN. Men will outspend women, but I don't think many gifts will carry the same sweet joy and pure love that we carried home for the net sum of $35 yesterday! Love can't be bought with a balloon, a rose, or even a diamond. Pity the person who thinks it can. But, a gift can't hurt, either. I hope that you'll take time to make Hallmark richer by choosing a card that reflects your personality and relationship. (Or, if you're creative, even better, make your own!)
For the record, here's a little history about Valentine's Day.
Thanks to the American Catholic website.
I'm glad for the changes that time has brought! Whatever else you might do today, I hope that each of us will make it a day of authentic love for others. Remember, too, that Biblical love is costly and other-centered.
Here is a word from the Word for this Valentine's Day.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV)
"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters... Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." (1 John 3:16,18, NLT)
_____________________
Love divine,
all love excelling,
Joy of heav'n,
to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion;
Pure, unbounded love Thou art.
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter ev'ry trembling heart.
Breathe, oh breathe,
Thy loving Spirit
Into ev'ry troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be.
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
John Wesley
© Public Domain
"Hey, buddy," I asked him, "would you like to go and get a Valentine gift for Momma?" So, off we went on Sunday afternoon.
"Should we buy flowers?" I queried. "Well, yeah, but red roses are classic and I want something different" he responded. We chatted about the merits of red roses for the day, an interesting topic to discuss with a 10 year old. We ended up with a huge three-part balloon array that spells out "I LOVE U" and a bouquet of pink roses mixed with other flowers. Just as we were leaving, he spotted a little stuffed bear with a red heart on it's chest in a mug decorated with a heart and a message of love. He determined it was a must-have for Mom! I had to hide my tears from him as he nearly burst with excitement, anticipating sharing his gift with his Mom, whose illness he seems strangely unable to comprehend.
$19 billion will be spent on Valentine's Day gifts according to a story I saw on CNN. Men will outspend women, but I don't think many gifts will carry the same sweet joy and pure love that we carried home for the net sum of $35 yesterday! Love can't be bought with a balloon, a rose, or even a diamond. Pity the person who thinks it can. But, a gift can't hurt, either. I hope that you'll take time to make Hallmark richer by choosing a card that reflects your personality and relationship. (Or, if you're creative, even better, make your own!)
For the record, here's a little history about Valentine's Day.
Thanks to the American Catholic website.
- "The roots of St. Valentine's Day lie in the ancient Roman festival of Lupercalia, which was celebrated on Feb. 15. For 800 years the Romans had dedicated this day to the god Lupercus. On Lupercalia, a young man would draw the name of a young woman in a lottery and would then keep the woman as a sexual companion for the year. Pope Gelasius I was, understandably, less than thrilled with this custom. So he changed the lottery to have both young men and women draw the names of saints whom they would then emulate for the year. Instead of Lupercus, the patron of the feast became Valentine. (There are three Valentines, each a martyr for their love of and work for Christ.) For Roman men, the day continued to be an occasion to seek the affections of women, and it became a tradition to give out handwritten messages of admiration that included Valentine's name.
There was also a conventional belief in Europe during the Middle Ages that birds chose their partners in the middle of February. Thus the day was dedicated to love, and people observed it by writing love letters and sending small gifts to their beloved. Legend has it that Charles, duke of Orleans, sent the first real Valentine card to his wife in 1415, when he was imprisoned in the Tower of London."
I'm glad for the changes that time has brought! Whatever else you might do today, I hope that each of us will make it a day of authentic love for others. Remember, too, that Biblical love is costly and other-centered.
Here is a word from the Word for this Valentine's Day.
"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud.
It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.
Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.
Love never fails." (1 Corinthians 13:4-8, NIV)
"We know what real love is because Jesus gave up his life for us. So we also ought to give up our lives for our brothers and sisters... Dear children, let's not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions." (1 John 3:16,18, NLT)
_____________________
Love divine,
all love excelling,
Joy of heav'n,
to earth come down!
Fix in us Thy humble dwelling;
All Thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, Thou art all compassion;
Pure, unbounded love Thou art.
Visit us with Thy salvation;
Enter ev'ry trembling heart.
Breathe, oh breathe,
Thy loving Spirit
Into ev'ry troubled breast!
Let us all in Thee inherit;
Let us find that second rest.
Take away our bent to sinning;
Alpha and Omega be.
End of faith, as its beginning,
Set our hearts at liberty.
John Wesley
© Public Domain
Friday, February 11, 2011
How to be first with God
When stressed I find myself tempted to let grace be overcome by an attitude that projects one message: ‘just get out of my way.’ Recently while I was working through concerns that are arising out of my mother’s illness, I found that temptation coming on strong. I thought - “Why can’t they just get it?” Of course, ‘it’ is seeing things my way. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit reminded me that humility is the godly course in such moments. The Proverbs pierced my pretentions with unadorned truth. On this matter I read that "The way of a fool seems right to him, but a wise man listens to advice." (Proverbs 12:15, NIV)
The most foolish person can convince himself he is the smartest man in the world. The result is multiplied folly and a string of regrettable decisions. So what can we do? Here’s the Word wisdom about this: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:2-3, NIV) The choice to humble one’s self, to choose to accept the challenge of living in love produces the possibility for an outcome we all like – unity! We must remember that everyone reacts to life differently because of their experiences, their temperament, their convictions and biases, their emotional state, and their maturity. As followers of Christ Jesus, we work to stay engaged with one another, we work through our differing ideas, we keep trying to communicate through the fog that would cause us to hear the words but miss the message.
Are you in a situation where tension is rising? Are you feeling stress that is making you circle the wagons into a defensive perimeter? Take it to Jesus in prayer. Ask Him to give new grace, to let you engage with those who would oppose you with gentle humility.
Here’s a little story with a big lesson. I pray that this word from the Word will bless you today, as it blessed me, with a reminder of humility.
"After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?”
But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”
Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” (Mark 9:33-37, NLT)
The most foolish person can convince himself he is the smartest man in the world. The result is multiplied folly and a string of regrettable decisions. So what can we do? Here’s the Word wisdom about this: "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace." (Ephesians 4:2-3, NIV) The choice to humble one’s self, to choose to accept the challenge of living in love produces the possibility for an outcome we all like – unity! We must remember that everyone reacts to life differently because of their experiences, their temperament, their convictions and biases, their emotional state, and their maturity. As followers of Christ Jesus, we work to stay engaged with one another, we work through our differing ideas, we keep trying to communicate through the fog that would cause us to hear the words but miss the message.
Are you in a situation where tension is rising? Are you feeling stress that is making you circle the wagons into a defensive perimeter? Take it to Jesus in prayer. Ask Him to give new grace, to let you engage with those who would oppose you with gentle humility.
Here’s a little story with a big lesson. I pray that this word from the Word will bless you today, as it blessed me, with a reminder of humility.
"After they arrived at Capernaum and settled in a house, Jesus asked his disciples, “What were you discussing out on the road?”
But they didn’t answer, because they had been arguing about which of them was the greatest.
He sat down, called the twelve disciples over to him, and said, “Whoever wants to be first must take last place and be the servant of everyone else.”
Then he put a little child among them. Taking the child in his arms, he said to them, “Anyone who welcomes a little child like this on my behalf welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes not only me but also my Father who sent me.” (Mark 9:33-37, NLT)
Thursday, February 10, 2011
What are you full of?
My cell phone chirps and beeps all day long. The PC that is never far from my sight flashes text, sound, and pictures on my desks and next to my living room chair. Our televisions give us the latest information from Cairo, let us sit on the front row of the stadium, or tell us a story in a movie. We are a wired society and most of us like it that way. Solitude is a rare thing for many of us. In fact, we are so attached to our communications stream that we grow anxious when it is shut-down, despite our claim to want some ‘peace and quiet!’ Come on, you know I’m right. Just let me know how ‘peaceful’ you feel next time your high speed Internet connection goes down.
One of my favorite writers on the subject of spiritual formation, Richard Foster, talks about solitude. He is not talking about being a social misfit unable to connect to others, nor is he recommending loneliness, which is one of life’s most painful conditions. Solitude is a discipline that teaches us to be alone with ourselves, that lets us grow comfortable with periods of silence, which allows us to sense the majesty of God. He says that “In solitude we learn to love the ways of God; we learn the cosmic patience of God. There’s the passage in Isaiah in which God says, “Your ways are not my ways,” and then goes on to describe how God’s ways are like the rain that comes down and waters the earth. Rain comes down and just disappears, and then up comes the life. It’s that type of patience. In solitude, I learn to unhook myself from the compulsion to climb and push and shove.” (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/september/26.41.html?start=5)
If a Christian desires to know God intimately and to be responsive to Him, he will have to learn how to withdraw into times of silence and be comfortable with the solitude. Impossible, you say? Try riding in your car with cell phone turned off, radio off, and mouth shut! (I think the Devil will be sure that someone blows his horn at you.) Or, instead of watching a TV show, go to a room and spend 20 minutes alone, inviting the Holy Spirit to touch the deepest part of your spirit.
Years ago, I took a short sabbatical and one week of that break I spent on a silent retreat at a monastic community! It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. But, I remember gaining a sense of mental clarity, a focus that was so wonderful, by about day three. No, there was no burning bush, no grand revelation, but I have never forgotten how important solitude is, if one would have the mind of the Lord.
In the Gospels, we read about Jesus making a practice of getting alone. "He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place." (Matthew 14:13, NIV) "As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer." (Luke 5:16, The Message) Why was this his notable habit, one that finds record many times through the Gospels? Was he escaping pressure, running away? No. He was running to His Father, preparing Himself to pour out the blessings of Heaven on the world. Might it be that you and I have so little to give so often because we have not learned to be filled with the Spirit? Are we so full of the trivia of daily life that we have no room for the treasure of the eternal Kingdom?
Just before you go to be alone for a while, here are words from the Word. May they convict and challenge us to learn to be still!
"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD." (Psalm 4:4-5, KJV)
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress." (Psalm 46:10-11, NLT)
____________________
Treasures
One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Until I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost.
And I walked earth's highways, grieving.
In my rags and poverty.
Till I heard His voice inviting,
"Lift your empty hands to Me!"
So I held my hands toward heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches,
‘Till they could contain no more.
And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God COULD not pour His riches
Into hands already full!
-Martha Snell Nicholson
One of my favorite writers on the subject of spiritual formation, Richard Foster, talks about solitude. He is not talking about being a social misfit unable to connect to others, nor is he recommending loneliness, which is one of life’s most painful conditions. Solitude is a discipline that teaches us to be alone with ourselves, that lets us grow comfortable with periods of silence, which allows us to sense the majesty of God. He says that “In solitude we learn to love the ways of God; we learn the cosmic patience of God. There’s the passage in Isaiah in which God says, “Your ways are not my ways,” and then goes on to describe how God’s ways are like the rain that comes down and waters the earth. Rain comes down and just disappears, and then up comes the life. It’s that type of patience. In solitude, I learn to unhook myself from the compulsion to climb and push and shove.” (http://www.christianitytoday.com/ct/2008/september/26.41.html?start=5)
If a Christian desires to know God intimately and to be responsive to Him, he will have to learn how to withdraw into times of silence and be comfortable with the solitude. Impossible, you say? Try riding in your car with cell phone turned off, radio off, and mouth shut! (I think the Devil will be sure that someone blows his horn at you.) Or, instead of watching a TV show, go to a room and spend 20 minutes alone, inviting the Holy Spirit to touch the deepest part of your spirit.
Years ago, I took a short sabbatical and one week of that break I spent on a silent retreat at a monastic community! It was one of the hardest things I have ever done. But, I remember gaining a sense of mental clarity, a focus that was so wonderful, by about day three. No, there was no burning bush, no grand revelation, but I have never forgotten how important solitude is, if one would have the mind of the Lord.
In the Gospels, we read about Jesus making a practice of getting alone. "He withdrew by boat privately to a solitary place." (Matthew 14:13, NIV) "As often as possible Jesus withdrew to out-of-the-way places for prayer." (Luke 5:16, The Message) Why was this his notable habit, one that finds record many times through the Gospels? Was he escaping pressure, running away? No. He was running to His Father, preparing Himself to pour out the blessings of Heaven on the world. Might it be that you and I have so little to give so often because we have not learned to be filled with the Spirit? Are we so full of the trivia of daily life that we have no room for the treasure of the eternal Kingdom?
Just before you go to be alone for a while, here are words from the Word. May they convict and challenge us to learn to be still!
"Stand in awe, and sin not: commune with your own heart upon your bed, and be still. Selah.
Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD." (Psalm 4:4-5, KJV)
“Be still, and know that I am God! I will be honored by every nation.
I will be honored throughout the world.”
The Lord of Heaven’s Armies is here among us;
the God of Israel is our fortress." (Psalm 46:10-11, NLT)
____________________
Treasures
One by one He took them from me,
All the things I valued most,
Until I was empty-handed;
Every glittering toy was lost.
And I walked earth's highways, grieving.
In my rags and poverty.
Till I heard His voice inviting,
"Lift your empty hands to Me!"
So I held my hands toward heaven,
And He filled them with a store
Of His own transcendent riches,
‘Till they could contain no more.
And at last I comprehended
With my stupid mind and dull,
That God COULD not pour His riches
Into hands already full!
-Martha Snell Nicholson
Wednesday, February 09, 2011
Spiritually Deaf and Speechless?
Human communication is fascinating. From 400 page books to 1 line text messages we are always communicating. Most of the time it’s just about the ordinary stuff of life “Hey, honey, would you move your car in the drive?” “What should I take out of the freezer for dinner?” “Wow, it’s only 6 degrees outside this AM.” Some messages stir us deeply. “I love you!” when said in earnest, means so much. And, you know that not all communication requires words, right? A person who knows how to communicate well, who has learned how to say what he wants and to hear what others want from him, is well down the road to success in life.
Have you learned to communicate with the Lord or are you spiritually deaf and speechless? Prayer is just like our interaction with other people. Nearly everyone can communicate, but many are not very adept at clearly expressing themselves. All Christians can pray, but many do not pray well. This is tragic. Why? Because, prayer is the greatest gift that God gives us, the source of great comfort and power for us. The Word couples three commands, sandwiching the key in the middle: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV) Joy and thankfulness grow out of intimate communication with the Holy Spirit!
We learn to pray in just one way – praying. No amount of instruction can replace practice. God is listening, even to our most stammering attempts at prayer. Know that He cares. He tells us "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." (Philippians 4:6, NLT) That everything is just that –every little and big thing. We can talk to the Lord about our fears, our temptations, our deepest longings, our confusion, our sex life, our money, the idiot who abuses us at work, kids, health, death … yes, everything!
Prayer must never be reserved for church or even for personal times of meditation. Prayer can be constant, an ongoing ‘chat’ with the Lord. It’s not my intent to demean prayer to a chat, but to illustrate that praying begins as two-way communication even about the stuff we know is not earth-shaking. Intense, earnest, thoughtful, and focused prayer is necessary. Even the Son of God withdrew from others to spend time alone with God. Learning to be God-aware by speaking with Him all through the day with thanksgiving and petition, chatting with Him, lays a foundation for those deeply focused times in prayer.
The power of prayer has little to do with the length of the prayer or the eloquence of the words. One of Jesus’ great miracles, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, was prefaced by this prayer. "Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:41-43, NIV) He gave thanks to turn his attention to God’s power, then He asked, clearly and without equivocation.
Learn to communicate with the Lord. Quiet your mind and heart and listen for the whisper of the Spirit. Start each day with a conscious acknowledgement of His care. “Tell God what you need.”
Here’s the model for prayer that Jesus gave us. As you read it today, may His words inspire your words and lead you to joy and thanksgiving.
"Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:9-13, NLT)
_________________
Make my life a prayer to you
I wanna do what you want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise
I wanna shine the light you gave
Thru your son you sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know you're really there
Well I wanna thank you now
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have to trust
And just believe what you say
Oh you're coming again
I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me
The love that set me free
I wanna tell the world out there
You're not some fable or fairy tale
That I've made up inside my head
You're God the son and you've risen from the dead
I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me
The love that set me free
- Make My Life A Prayer, Keith Green
Have you learned to communicate with the Lord or are you spiritually deaf and speechless? Prayer is just like our interaction with other people. Nearly everyone can communicate, but many are not very adept at clearly expressing themselves. All Christians can pray, but many do not pray well. This is tragic. Why? Because, prayer is the greatest gift that God gives us, the source of great comfort and power for us. The Word couples three commands, sandwiching the key in the middle: "Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, NIV) Joy and thankfulness grow out of intimate communication with the Holy Spirit!
We learn to pray in just one way – praying. No amount of instruction can replace practice. God is listening, even to our most stammering attempts at prayer. Know that He cares. He tells us "Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done." (Philippians 4:6, NLT) That everything is just that –every little and big thing. We can talk to the Lord about our fears, our temptations, our deepest longings, our confusion, our sex life, our money, the idiot who abuses us at work, kids, health, death … yes, everything!
Prayer must never be reserved for church or even for personal times of meditation. Prayer can be constant, an ongoing ‘chat’ with the Lord. It’s not my intent to demean prayer to a chat, but to illustrate that praying begins as two-way communication even about the stuff we know is not earth-shaking. Intense, earnest, thoughtful, and focused prayer is necessary. Even the Son of God withdrew from others to spend time alone with God. Learning to be God-aware by speaking with Him all through the day with thanksgiving and petition, chatting with Him, lays a foundation for those deeply focused times in prayer.
The power of prayer has little to do with the length of the prayer or the eloquence of the words. One of Jesus’ great miracles, the raising of Lazarus from the dead, was prefaced by this prayer. "Jesus looked up and said, “Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me.” When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, “Lazarus, come out!” (John 11:41-43, NIV) He gave thanks to turn his attention to God’s power, then He asked, clearly and without equivocation.
Learn to communicate with the Lord. Quiet your mind and heart and listen for the whisper of the Spirit. Start each day with a conscious acknowledgement of His care. “Tell God what you need.”
Here’s the model for prayer that Jesus gave us. As you read it today, may His words inspire your words and lead you to joy and thanksgiving.
"Pray like this:
Our Father in heaven, may your name be kept holy.
May your Kingdom come soon.
May your will be done on earth, as it is in heaven.
Give us today the food we need, and forgive us our sins,
as we have forgiven those who sin against us.
And don’t let us yield to temptation,
but rescue us from the evil one." (Matthew 6:9-13, NLT)
_________________
Make my life a prayer to you
I wanna do what you want me to
No empty words and no white lies
No token prayers no compromise
I wanna shine the light you gave
Thru your son you sent to save us
From ourselves and our despair
It comforts me to know you're really there
Well I wanna thank you now
For being patient with me
Oh it's so hard to see
When my eyes are on me
I guess I'll have to trust
And just believe what you say
Oh you're coming again
I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me
The love that set me free
I wanna tell the world out there
You're not some fable or fairy tale
That I've made up inside my head
You're God the son and you've risen from the dead
I wanna die and let you give
Your life to me so I might live
And share the hope you gave me
The love that set me free
- Make My Life A Prayer, Keith Green
Tuesday, February 08, 2011
What on your diet?
I'm not a health food fanatic by any stretch of the imagination, but I eat a balanced diet that includes less and less 'junk' these days. Maybe it's wisdom, maybe it's just my inability to eat junk food and still feel well, that makes for more discipline in my diet. Whatever it is, high fat, high sugar foods don't find their way into my mouth as much. People have been preaching to me a long time about the quality of the food I choose to nourish my body. Now I am understanding that nutrition is more than putting stuff into your mouth.
What nourishes you spiritually? The Psalmist sings "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103, NIV) The prophet said that "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty." (Jeremiah 15:16, NIV) It's an interesting analogy, isn't it? God's Word as food and drink. Our minds and hearts want to be fed. We have a hunger for instruction, for knowledge of the way to live that lets us be satisfied, peaceful, and whole. We can temporarily ease that hunger with material that does not satisfy our soul.
But, when we consume the Word of God, He uses it to create a strong heart in us, to give us insight and discernment. As a shepherd of God's flock, I am concerned by the failure of many to 'eat' the Word in quantities that will provide real strength. Merely reading a few inspirational thoughts each day cannot replace sitting down to thoughtful meditation on the Scripture. A 'verse for the day' will produce about the same kind of strength that you would have if you tried to survive on a single vitamin tablet! Then, too, there are many teachers preparing meals for people but the 'food' they offer is tainted or diluted with human philosophy to great degrees. The "Word" they offer is junk food, tasty morsels that cannot provide nutrition.
Get two good Bibles! One solid translation (New International, English Standard, or even New Living) matched with a contemporary paraphrase like The Message are all you need to get started. Make a plan to read a portion of the Scripture every day, with understanding, allowing the Spirit to apply the principles of God's Story to your life. No one masters the Scripture or is mastered by the Truth in a month or even a year! It's a life-long commitment, with rich rewards.
Here's a word from the Word. I pray it challenges you to check your 'soul food' for nutritional content.
"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word. Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws."
(Psalm 119:97-108, NIV)
What nourishes you spiritually? The Psalmist sings "How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!" (Psalm 119:103, NIV) The prophet said that "When your words came, I ate them; they were my joy and my heart's delight, for I bear your name, O Lord God Almighty." (Jeremiah 15:16, NIV) It's an interesting analogy, isn't it? God's Word as food and drink. Our minds and hearts want to be fed. We have a hunger for instruction, for knowledge of the way to live that lets us be satisfied, peaceful, and whole. We can temporarily ease that hunger with material that does not satisfy our soul.
But, when we consume the Word of God, He uses it to create a strong heart in us, to give us insight and discernment. As a shepherd of God's flock, I am concerned by the failure of many to 'eat' the Word in quantities that will provide real strength. Merely reading a few inspirational thoughts each day cannot replace sitting down to thoughtful meditation on the Scripture. A 'verse for the day' will produce about the same kind of strength that you would have if you tried to survive on a single vitamin tablet! Then, too, there are many teachers preparing meals for people but the 'food' they offer is tainted or diluted with human philosophy to great degrees. The "Word" they offer is junk food, tasty morsels that cannot provide nutrition.
Get two good Bibles! One solid translation (New International, English Standard, or even New Living) matched with a contemporary paraphrase like The Message are all you need to get started. Make a plan to read a portion of the Scripture every day, with understanding, allowing the Spirit to apply the principles of God's Story to your life. No one masters the Scripture or is mastered by the Truth in a month or even a year! It's a life-long commitment, with rich rewards.
Here's a word from the Word. I pray it challenges you to check your 'soul food' for nutritional content.
"Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. I have kept my feet from every evil path so that I might obey your word. I have not departed from your laws, for you yourself have taught me. How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth! I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore I hate every wrong path.
Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path. I have taken an oath and confirmed it, that I will follow your righteous laws. I have suffered much; preserve my life, O Lord, according to your word. Accept, O Lord, the willing praise of my mouth, and teach me your laws."
(Psalm 119:97-108, NIV)
Monday, February 07, 2011
SuperBowl and Sunday rest
It’s over. The $300,000 commercials are being dissected. The halftime show that delighted and disappointed (A ‘who cares’ shrug from me) will be discussed terminally today. The men who strained to win a championship for the season will be taking pain-killers and either celebrating their triumph or regretting their stumbles. We all go back to work and life goes on. It was fun, wasn’t it? The anticipation, the jokes and jabs, the gatherings for the party. Events that allow us to break up the tedium of life keep us from turning into joyless drones. And that’s a good thing!
God likes celebration, too. Did you realize that? He inspired Moses to create a calendar for His people that included multiple holy days. It was the holy days in the calendar that caused the work to stop, that made a break. The Lord knew that we would tend to worship our work and play at our worship so, from the very beginning, He asked for one day in seven to be set aside as holy, a regular holiday break. The 4th commandment says: “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you." (Exodus 20:8-10, NLT) Our modern word ‘holiday’ is derived from ‘holy day.’
I am convinced that the New Covenant in Christ releases us from an obligatory observance of the Sabbath. Romans 14 is clear that every day is holy to the Lord, and yet we who are disciples of Christ need to remember the gift of the holy day, the importance of breaking into our work for renewal, for worship, to gather with other disciples for focused and intentional worship. The Sabbath principle survives in God’s plan for His holy people. From the 2nd decade of Christianity, the “Lord’s Day” was celebrated by gathering of Believers for worship and the ‘love feast’ and instruction in the Scripture. The Word strongly directs us to keep the practice, for our own good. "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT)
Few spiritual principles are more widely disregarded by 21st century American Christians than the principle of a day each week given to worship and God. The “Lord’s Day” has become, at best for many, “the Lord’s hour or two.” The day off from the factory or office turns into a day to shop, fix the car, do the laundry, get groceries … almost everything but rest and worship. And, we are poorer for our rejection of His gift of a holy day. We justify our neglect of our souls by pointing to the many responsibilities of our daily lives, and in so doing we are like the money manager who is penny-wise and dollar-foolish. Unless we are willing to put God first, we will never discover the order for life; the increased productivity He can provide when we live in His promised rest.
Disciple, honor the Lord with your time. Recover the principle of taking a day for worship and rest, a day devoted to celebrating His goodness. It’s not a practice that needs to be a dull duty. It’s a celebration of the goodness of our God, a reminder that He owns us, that He cares for us, and that we are eternal beings first, creatures of this present world second. Push gathering for worship to the top of your list of priorities and discipline yourself to spend the balance of your ‘holy day’ in hospitality, in service to your King, in renewal of the spirit by intentional pursuit of the Presence of the Lord.
The weekly holy-day is His gift. Receive it with joy.
Here’s a word from the Word. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you insight as to the application of the principle to your Christian life.
“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
Then the Lord will be your delight.
I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isaiah 58:13-14, NLT)
God likes celebration, too. Did you realize that? He inspired Moses to create a calendar for His people that included multiple holy days. It was the holy days in the calendar that caused the work to stop, that made a break. The Lord knew that we would tend to worship our work and play at our worship so, from the very beginning, He asked for one day in seven to be set aside as holy, a regular holiday break. The 4th commandment says: “Remember to observe the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. You have six days each week for your ordinary work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath day of rest dedicated to the Lord your God. On that day no one in your household may do any work. This includes you, your sons and daughters, your male and female servants, your livestock, and any foreigners living among you." (Exodus 20:8-10, NLT) Our modern word ‘holiday’ is derived from ‘holy day.’
I am convinced that the New Covenant in Christ releases us from an obligatory observance of the Sabbath. Romans 14 is clear that every day is holy to the Lord, and yet we who are disciples of Christ need to remember the gift of the holy day, the importance of breaking into our work for renewal, for worship, to gather with other disciples for focused and intentional worship. The Sabbath principle survives in God’s plan for His holy people. From the 2nd decade of Christianity, the “Lord’s Day” was celebrated by gathering of Believers for worship and the ‘love feast’ and instruction in the Scripture. The Word strongly directs us to keep the practice, for our own good. "Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, NLT)
Few spiritual principles are more widely disregarded by 21st century American Christians than the principle of a day each week given to worship and God. The “Lord’s Day” has become, at best for many, “the Lord’s hour or two.” The day off from the factory or office turns into a day to shop, fix the car, do the laundry, get groceries … almost everything but rest and worship. And, we are poorer for our rejection of His gift of a holy day. We justify our neglect of our souls by pointing to the many responsibilities of our daily lives, and in so doing we are like the money manager who is penny-wise and dollar-foolish. Unless we are willing to put God first, we will never discover the order for life; the increased productivity He can provide when we live in His promised rest.
Disciple, honor the Lord with your time. Recover the principle of taking a day for worship and rest, a day devoted to celebrating His goodness. It’s not a practice that needs to be a dull duty. It’s a celebration of the goodness of our God, a reminder that He owns us, that He cares for us, and that we are eternal beings first, creatures of this present world second. Push gathering for worship to the top of your list of priorities and discipline yourself to spend the balance of your ‘holy day’ in hospitality, in service to your King, in renewal of the spirit by intentional pursuit of the Presence of the Lord.
The weekly holy-day is His gift. Receive it with joy.
Here’s a word from the Word. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give you insight as to the application of the principle to your Christian life.
“Keep the Sabbath day holy. Don’t pursue your own interests on that day,
but enjoy the Sabbath and speak of it with delight as the Lord’s holy day.
Honor the Sabbath in everything you do on that day,
and don’t follow your own desires or talk idly.
Then the Lord will be your delight.
I will give you great honor and satisfy you with the inheritance I promised to your ancestor Jacob. I, the Lord, have spoken!” (Isaiah 58:13-14, NLT)
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