Gavin, my 5 year old grandson, was frantic this morning. "Help me, Poppa. I have to find it." We looked around and finally uncovered the object- a 10 cent string of plastic beads that he claimed was 'very special' because a good friend gave it to him. It was just a trinket to me, but to him it was a treasure! I enjoy learning about what others treasure. My new friend, Anthony, loves to collect old Bibles. He has built a beautiful cabinet in his office where he displays dozens of big, old Bibles. My Dad treasures kids, and not just those to whom he is a parent. Mom and Dad adopted 10 after raising their own offspring, but over the years they have shared their home with too many kids to count (no exaggeration in that statement). Jake enjoys collecting guitars. Some collect stamps, others collect coins, still others buy up fine art!
Is it right for a Believer to own and enjoy things?
There has always been tension among Christians about this. Philip Yancey observes (Christianity Today, Nov. 2007) that the Church has sang both "This Is My Father's World" and "This World is Not My Home" with equal fervor through the years! He describes his recent tour of England while reading John Wesley's journals. Wesley had little time for culture, art, or even flower gardens as he saw this present world as being of so little worth compared with his home in Heaven. If any person was not ready to take a vow of poverty in the name of Christ, Wesley felt the sincerity of that person's devotion was in question! Yet, other Believers through the centuries to this present time, have deeply loved God while creating beautiful gardens, buildings, music, and art.
Jesus helps us with this by reminding us that no earthly treasure can be allowed to become our master. God, alone, must hold the central place in our life. Old Bibles, guitars, and art are great as a hobby, even as something to enjoy with pleasure, but they are poor gods to serve. That is why the Lord says, "Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being." (Matthew 6:19-21, The Message) The core issue is learning the difference between enjoyment and worship, between making something the source of the meaning of life and enjoying it in proper priority.
Because we are so very different, the level at which we should enjoy the things of this world will vary. A man once came to Jesus to inquire about becoming his disciple and finding eternal life. He was very moral, claiming to have observed the Commandments scrupulously. Jesus did not question the truthfulness of that claim, but knowing his heart, he challenged the young nobleman to go and sell everything he owned and then he said, "come, follow me." "But when the young man heard this, he went away sad, for he had many possessions." (Matthew 19:22, NLT) His true treasure was revealed in that last line - he would not let go of what he loved most - his wealth! For many of us raised in a wealthy land, consumers to the core, a call similar to the one issued to that rich young man may be in order! The only cure for our materialism may well be radical surgery!
For others, the discipline of proportionate giving, the tithe (10%), is what reminds them of the Lord's ownership of all. They have learned to hold loosely the things that are in their lives, loving God more than anything in this world. To each of us, Jesus puts the question that He put to Peter as He pointed to the fishing boats, the familiar life of Capernaum - "Do you love me more than these?" (John 21:15, NLT)
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today.
"True godliness with contentment is itself great wealth. After all, we brought nothing with us when we came into the world, and we can’t take anything with us when we leave it. So if we have enough food and clothing, let us be content.
But people who long to be rich fall into temptation and are trapped by many foolish and harmful desires that plunge them into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. And some people, craving money, have wandered from the true faith and pierced themselves with many sorrows." (1 Timothy 6:6-10, NLT)
___________________
Modern times have brought us many comforts.
People live in wealth and luxury.
But the Master still asks this question,
"Lovest thou Me, lovest thou MeMore than these?"
"Lovest thou Me,More than these, My child?
"What will your answer be?O precious Lord,
I love Thee more than all of these,
More than fame, more than wealth,
More than the world.
I love Thee more than this old world can offer,
All sinful follies I deny for Thee,
My love, my life, my all
I pledge Thee,I love Thee Lord,
I love Thee Lord,
More than these.
Lovest Thou Me
© 1962, 1989 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, November 02, 2007
Thursday, November 01, 2007
Tender-hearted, quick to forgive?
Today's thought comes from my reflection over the work that I have been doing with a few who have become offended. Some will surely read this TFTD and take offense! In writing it, I risk that, but I'm sending anyway, with the prayer that these words will promote unity, not build walls! Take God's wisdom to heart. He says, "Overlook an offense and bond a friendship; fasten on to a slight and—good-bye, friend!" (Proverbs 17:9, The Message)
_______________________
Got a 'chip on your shoulder?' Some say this phrase dates back to medieval times when a knight would place a piece of wood on his shoulder and dare anyone brave enough to challenge him, to knock it off! Occasionally, the chip was knocked off accidentally by the jostling of a crowd but the hapless person who knocked it off was faced with the nearly impossible task of trying to explain he did not mean to provoke a fight.
When someone is abused or manipulated or suffers a financial loss, I can empathize with their loss and understand their anger. But, when people get angry, hurt, and deeply offended over perceived slights or repeated rumors that bear little resemblance to actual events, I am mystified by depth of wounds that develop, wounds that fester with the worst of human traits. Why do we choose the pain and heartbreak of being offended, when we can forgive a matter, release the offender from obligation, and find ourselves free of resentment, sorrow, and anger? The question that I raise is this - is the thing so important to require that relationships be broken, churches divided, or leaders criticized?
Things that set us off are often obscure, even inscrutable, to others. When my brother, Andre', was little, about age 6, he hated to be called a 'green pig.' Of course, being 5 years older, I took delight in calling him a 'green pig,' just to hear him wail. Why did he hate that silly phrase? Who knows? I would even imagine he doesn't remember it today, but it was a sure way to offend him in 1966! Call him a 'green pig' today and he'll laugh and wonder if you're crazy. Are you letting obscure things cause offense, even when others have no idea what or why is causing your distress?
Offense is not just a human relationship issue; it is a spiritual issue! We are much more likely to be offended when we are not walking in close fellowship with the Holy Spirit. When we are quick to take everything to Him in prayer, we receive healing for our wounds and the issue quickly dies. But, if we hold onto our pain, the Evil One seizes the opportunity to stir controversy between people - in marriage, in ministry, in neighborhoods, in churches, even in families. Why? Because an offended person is capable of sowing chaos that can ruin good organizations, that can cause close groups to disintegrate. The Devil spotlights the failure, the lack of simple courtesy, or even the intentional digs that we deal with and we become convinced that our honor and dignity is at stake. Ironically, the more focused we become on preserving our honor, the less honorable we generally are! There is great dignity displayed by the person who simply refuses to take offense. The Bible says, "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. " (Proverbs 19:11, NKJV)
There are two choices I try to make when I am feeling hurt, when I know that I am vulnerable to becoming offended. They help me to step over my pride, my sense of dignity, and preserve rather than destroy.
1. I secure my heart in the Love of God! He loves me despite knowing my worst faults, my most carefully concealed sin, and the gaps in my character. He gave His love to me while I was rejecting Him, turning my attention to lesser gods! When I allow His Word convince me how much I matter to Him, I am able to choose to refuse offense. When the Evil One whispers- 'you're not being treated with the respect you deserve,' - I can silence his chatter in a moment by remembering - "absolutely ...nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:38-39, The Message) If I am loved I can forgive readily, as befits one who is forgiven so much by Jesus. In this I please the Lord and become a person who creates harmony, unity, and peace to the glory of God.
2. I remind myself of the 'big picture.' When I see the greater goals, I find it much easier to step over lesser issues. For example, I cherish my marriage, the joy of having a strong relationship with my wife, so on those days when she is less than pleasant, or when she is pre-occupied with her own interests, I work to refuse the temptation to descend into petty insistence on getting what I want and stirring up anger. Most things in life are more important than my feelings!
If you're offended, I appeal to you to be tender-hearted and quick to forgive. If you're happy and satisfied, store these words in your memory for that time when you are tempted by offense, a time that will surely come, sooner or later.
And here's a word from the Word to take with you today - "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." (Luke 6:37-38, The Message)
_______________________
Got a 'chip on your shoulder?' Some say this phrase dates back to medieval times when a knight would place a piece of wood on his shoulder and dare anyone brave enough to challenge him, to knock it off! Occasionally, the chip was knocked off accidentally by the jostling of a crowd but the hapless person who knocked it off was faced with the nearly impossible task of trying to explain he did not mean to provoke a fight.
When someone is abused or manipulated or suffers a financial loss, I can empathize with their loss and understand their anger. But, when people get angry, hurt, and deeply offended over perceived slights or repeated rumors that bear little resemblance to actual events, I am mystified by depth of wounds that develop, wounds that fester with the worst of human traits. Why do we choose the pain and heartbreak of being offended, when we can forgive a matter, release the offender from obligation, and find ourselves free of resentment, sorrow, and anger? The question that I raise is this - is the thing so important to require that relationships be broken, churches divided, or leaders criticized?
Things that set us off are often obscure, even inscrutable, to others. When my brother, Andre', was little, about age 6, he hated to be called a 'green pig.' Of course, being 5 years older, I took delight in calling him a 'green pig,' just to hear him wail. Why did he hate that silly phrase? Who knows? I would even imagine he doesn't remember it today, but it was a sure way to offend him in 1966! Call him a 'green pig' today and he'll laugh and wonder if you're crazy. Are you letting obscure things cause offense, even when others have no idea what or why is causing your distress?
Offense is not just a human relationship issue; it is a spiritual issue! We are much more likely to be offended when we are not walking in close fellowship with the Holy Spirit. When we are quick to take everything to Him in prayer, we receive healing for our wounds and the issue quickly dies. But, if we hold onto our pain, the Evil One seizes the opportunity to stir controversy between people - in marriage, in ministry, in neighborhoods, in churches, even in families. Why? Because an offended person is capable of sowing chaos that can ruin good organizations, that can cause close groups to disintegrate. The Devil spotlights the failure, the lack of simple courtesy, or even the intentional digs that we deal with and we become convinced that our honor and dignity is at stake. Ironically, the more focused we become on preserving our honor, the less honorable we generally are! There is great dignity displayed by the person who simply refuses to take offense. The Bible says, "The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, And his glory is to overlook a transgression. " (Proverbs 19:11, NKJV)
There are two choices I try to make when I am feeling hurt, when I know that I am vulnerable to becoming offended. They help me to step over my pride, my sense of dignity, and preserve rather than destroy.
1. I secure my heart in the Love of God! He loves me despite knowing my worst faults, my most carefully concealed sin, and the gaps in my character. He gave His love to me while I was rejecting Him, turning my attention to lesser gods! When I allow His Word convince me how much I matter to Him, I am able to choose to refuse offense. When the Evil One whispers- 'you're not being treated with the respect you deserve,' - I can silence his chatter in a moment by remembering - "absolutely ...nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:38-39, The Message) If I am loved I can forgive readily, as befits one who is forgiven so much by Jesus. In this I please the Lord and become a person who creates harmony, unity, and peace to the glory of God.
2. I remind myself of the 'big picture.' When I see the greater goals, I find it much easier to step over lesser issues. For example, I cherish my marriage, the joy of having a strong relationship with my wife, so on those days when she is less than pleasant, or when she is pre-occupied with her own interests, I work to refuse the temptation to descend into petty insistence on getting what I want and stirring up anger. Most things in life are more important than my feelings!
If you're offended, I appeal to you to be tender-hearted and quick to forgive. If you're happy and satisfied, store these words in your memory for that time when you are tempted by offense, a time that will surely come, sooner or later.
And here's a word from the Word to take with you today - "Don't pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. Don't condemn those who are down; that hardness can boomerang. Be easy on people; you'll find life a lot easier. Give away your life; you'll find life given back, but not merely given back—given back with bonus and blessing. Giving, not getting, is the way. Generosity begets generosity." (Luke 6:37-38, The Message)
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
One small leap to a wrong assumption
I was glad the friend from church stopped by my office yesterday. She had misunderstood a simple thing I had recently done in a service. She was tempted to assume that I was acting to control a situation. But, being a gracious and mature Believer, realized that she had to talk with me about what seemed, on the surface, to be as plain as day. In our conversation my action was set in context and she realized that I had no hidden motive. If I were guilty of anything, it was being insensitive to the moment because I was unaware of what was going on. What if she had not taken the time to come by and talk to me for 15 minutes? What kind of fertile ground might the Enemy of God and good found in which to grow seeds of suspicion and/or alienation?
Ever made the leap to a conclusion because you just knew the obvious? I can say that I have been there, done that, and lived to regret it. What actually happens; what a person intends to happen; and what we think we saw happen; are often three unrelated tales. Our state of mind influences the information taken in by our senses, doesn't it? If we are fatigued, discouraged, or angry - an innocuous comment can sound like a thunderous criticism. If we have a preconceived idea of what we want to happen, we may too quickly assume that everybody knows what we're trying to do and fail to bring them up to speed on our background thinking that gives context to our present decision.
Even our worldview can be faulty and cause us to misinterpret the facts, so that we come to the wrong conclusion, misjudge another, or even blame God! Jesus disciples had been trained by their religious leaders, wrongly, to think that if someone was suffering, there was a direct line of cause and effect. Suffering indicated sin and judgment, or so they thought. The truth was very different, as they learned from the Master.
" As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
"Rabbi," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?"
"It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him." (John 9:1-5, NLT)
So many troubles and problems within the church would be eliminated if we would just be courageous enough to talk to one another and to the Lord!
"Why did you do that?"
"What did you mean?"
"Are you angry with me?"
These are simple questions, left unasked and therefore, unanswered, too often. In both our relationships one another and in our love for God, we must have faith. Peter says, "Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything." (1 Peter 4:8, The Message)
" Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. " (1 Peter 4:12-13, The Message)
The Devil's strategy of 'divide and conquer' is defeated when we keep our heart and mind open, when we quickly take our concerns to one another, when we trust God to care for us - even in the most difficult situations. Think today about this... Have I misjudged another? Have I allowed myself to make an assumption about God's purposes without praying to know them? Am I making one small leap to a wrong assumption?
Ever made the leap to a conclusion because you just knew the obvious? I can say that I have been there, done that, and lived to regret it. What actually happens; what a person intends to happen; and what we think we saw happen; are often three unrelated tales. Our state of mind influences the information taken in by our senses, doesn't it? If we are fatigued, discouraged, or angry - an innocuous comment can sound like a thunderous criticism. If we have a preconceived idea of what we want to happen, we may too quickly assume that everybody knows what we're trying to do and fail to bring them up to speed on our background thinking that gives context to our present decision.
Even our worldview can be faulty and cause us to misinterpret the facts, so that we come to the wrong conclusion, misjudge another, or even blame God! Jesus disciples had been trained by their religious leaders, wrongly, to think that if someone was suffering, there was a direct line of cause and effect. Suffering indicated sin and judgment, or so they thought. The truth was very different, as they learned from the Master.
" As Jesus was walking along, he saw a man who had been blind from birth.
"Rabbi," his disciples asked him, "why was this man born blind? Was it because of his own sins or his parents’ sins?"
"It was not because of his sins or his parents’ sins," Jesus answered. "This happened so the power of God could be seen in him." (John 9:1-5, NLT)
So many troubles and problems within the church would be eliminated if we would just be courageous enough to talk to one another and to the Lord!
"Why did you do that?"
"What did you mean?"
"Are you angry with me?"
These are simple questions, left unasked and therefore, unanswered, too often. In both our relationships one another and in our love for God, we must have faith. Peter says, "Most of all, love each other as if your life depended on it. Love makes up for practically anything." (1 Peter 4:8, The Message)
" Friends, when life gets really difficult, don’t jump to the conclusion that God isn’t on the job. Instead, be glad that you are in the very thick of what Christ experienced. This is a spiritual refining process, with glory just around the corner. " (1 Peter 4:12-13, The Message)
The Devil's strategy of 'divide and conquer' is defeated when we keep our heart and mind open, when we quickly take our concerns to one another, when we trust God to care for us - even in the most difficult situations. Think today about this... Have I misjudged another? Have I allowed myself to make an assumption about God's purposes without praying to know them? Am I making one small leap to a wrong assumption?
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
I can't wear your armor!
As Believers we oppose and face opposition from three sources- the World (the systems that are not submitted to God and His ways), the Sinful Nature (the inward desire to live contrary to God's ways), and the Devil! If we belong to Christ, we are living in a 'state of war!' Sometimes it rages externally, and we are under spiritual attack that requires a defensive posture . And, sometimes, we advance for God, destroying some place where evil has a stronghold. We call this - 'spiritual warfare!' Many books are written on the subject some solidly Biblical and others nothing more than sensationalism and superstitious formulations. Often books about spiritual warfare are encouraging stories of the experiences of someone in a unique situation. Such stories can encourage us, but we must not try to replicate the experiences. Why? Because, if we wage war basing our strategy on the experiences or stories of another, and expect the same results, it is a little like attempting to go to battle while wearing another's armor.
There is a humorous story from the early life of David. Jesse sent his youngest son to the battle front with provisions for his brothers who were serving in the Israeli army. When David got to the warfront, he found the army dug in. Each morning, they suited up and went out to the ridge to yell their battle cries, but they didn't advance! In response, the Philistines would send out their hero, a giant of a man named Goliath. He would hurl insults at the Israelis and their God, making them shake in terror. When David saw this happening he asked, "Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26, NLT) News of the courage of this young man reached King Saul who calls him into the royal tent. Hearing his stories of God's empowerment and seeing his courage, Saul decides to send David into battle with Goliath. Here's where it gets hilarious if you have a good imagination!
"Saul outfitted David as a soldier in armor. He put his bronze helmet on his head and belted his sword on him over the armor. David tried to walk but he could hardly budge. David told Saul, "I can't even move with all this stuff on me. I'm not used to this." And he took it all off. Then David took his shepherd's staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's pack, and with his sling in his hand approached Goliath." (1 Samuel 17:38-40, The Message) Can you picture this shepherd lad, trying to wear the king's armor? It didn't fit. He didn't even know how to move under its weight. So, David took off Saul's armor and took up what God had given him: a stick worn smooth to his hands during his sheep-herding days and a slingshot he'd used thousands of times while passing days watching over his flocks.You know the rest of this story! David prevailed by God's power, using the 'armor' that fit. At the end of the day, Goliath lay at the feet of the lad holding a stick and a sling.
In a paragraph rich in imagery, the Bible urges each one of us to suit up for battle!
"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ... put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, ... Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:10-18, NIV)
God, the Armorer of His soldier-saints, has protection that is uniquely designed for you, that equips you in a way that is custom designed to meet the particular demands of the battles you will wage given your circumstances, your personality, and demonic assaults. Have you 'put on' what He has made for you so that you can advance the front line of the Kingdom? Then, go and fight the battles for truth and righteousness with assurance, 'thoroughly equipped for every good work.'
Spend time with the Master - in His Word, waiting on Him in prayer, letting Him teach you the way that you can stand secure against every assault - from every foe.
And remember this, mature Believer, don't try to make another wear your armor. The amazing wonder of our Christian faith is that God knows us personally and He equips us individually to live for Him. Praise Him!
____________________________________
There is a humorous story from the early life of David. Jesse sent his youngest son to the battle front with provisions for his brothers who were serving in the Israeli army. When David got to the warfront, he found the army dug in. Each morning, they suited up and went out to the ridge to yell their battle cries, but they didn't advance! In response, the Philistines would send out their hero, a giant of a man named Goliath. He would hurl insults at the Israelis and their God, making them shake in terror. When David saw this happening he asked, "Who is this pagan Philistine anyway, that he is allowed to defy the armies of the living God?" (1 Samuel 17:26, NLT) News of the courage of this young man reached King Saul who calls him into the royal tent. Hearing his stories of God's empowerment and seeing his courage, Saul decides to send David into battle with Goliath. Here's where it gets hilarious if you have a good imagination!
"Saul outfitted David as a soldier in armor. He put his bronze helmet on his head and belted his sword on him over the armor. David tried to walk but he could hardly budge. David told Saul, "I can't even move with all this stuff on me. I'm not used to this." And he took it all off. Then David took his shepherd's staff, selected five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the pocket of his shepherd's pack, and with his sling in his hand approached Goliath." (1 Samuel 17:38-40, The Message) Can you picture this shepherd lad, trying to wear the king's armor? It didn't fit. He didn't even know how to move under its weight. So, David took off Saul's armor and took up what God had given him: a stick worn smooth to his hands during his sheep-herding days and a slingshot he'd used thousands of times while passing days watching over his flocks.You know the rest of this story! David prevailed by God's power, using the 'armor' that fit. At the end of the day, Goliath lay at the feet of the lad holding a stick and a sling.
In a paragraph rich in imagery, the Bible urges each one of us to suit up for battle!
"Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devil's schemes. ... put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, ... Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests." (Ephesians 6:10-18, NIV)
God, the Armorer of His soldier-saints, has protection that is uniquely designed for you, that equips you in a way that is custom designed to meet the particular demands of the battles you will wage given your circumstances, your personality, and demonic assaults. Have you 'put on' what He has made for you so that you can advance the front line of the Kingdom? Then, go and fight the battles for truth and righteousness with assurance, 'thoroughly equipped for every good work.'
Spend time with the Master - in His Word, waiting on Him in prayer, letting Him teach you the way that you can stand secure against every assault - from every foe.
And remember this, mature Believer, don't try to make another wear your armor. The amazing wonder of our Christian faith is that God knows us personally and He equips us individually to live for Him. Praise Him!
____________________________________
Monday, October 29, 2007
A response, not a reaction!
Yesterday brought me some disappointment. The development (I cannot write about details because of issues of pastoral confidentiality) is painful for me both personally and professionally and creates a set of leadership challenges for me to deal with in our congregation. I wrestled with the problem for most of the day. I am determined that I will not allow the actions of someone else to determine my reaction. A long time ago I learned that while I cannot control others, God has given me freedom to choose not to engage in the self-defeating behaviors of a victim when I am handed a set-back. What are they? They take many forms, but almost all involve making short term choices for comfort that lead to long-term negative consequences.
I could become vindictive and attack those who have disappointed me. It might feel good in the moment that I gave vent to my anger, but that would just stir up another set of problems which I would then have to solve!
I could sink into self-pity and sulk, making it all about my feelings. "How could they do this to me?" That would only cause me to delay dealing with the real issues involved which are much bigger than my feelings.
I could indulge myself with a shopping spree, or too much food, or some other distraction, but there are many downsides in those choices that are obvious to me!
I could look for a scapegoat, someone to focus my anger on or to blame for the situation. Nothing is accomplished by this except to create a wider circle of problems.
When life goes wrong for you, do you allow yourself to engage in self-defeating behavior or lock into self-defeating thought patterns? We will all experience disappointment as a result of the actions of other people and we will all fail someone, sometime, and somewhere! We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. We have an Enemy who exploits every situation as much as he can to break relationships, to make us feel helpless or alone, to tempt us to the choices of a victim. Christ Jesus, whose Spirit lives in those who are His, offers us a different way to live. Take a look. "Christ lives in you. So you are alive because God has accepted you... My dear friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God’s Spirit you say "No" to your desires. Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children." (Romans 8:10, 12-14, CEV)
I am not a victim of circumstances because my Lord Jesus Christ lifts me above them! Because am no longer in the grip of an old sinful nature, I can choose to respond, to solve the problem instead of magnifying it. Take a look at this empowering promise God gives to us. "The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. " (Romans 8:2, The Message) "Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn’t pleased at being ignored. But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about." (Romans 8:6-9, The Message)
Choosing to live as a mature spiritual person instead of a self-indulgent child, isn't natural, nor is it ever easy, but it is always right!
So what do we do when disappointment and/or disillusionment comes our way?
First, take it to the Lord in prayer! Seek His wisdom, insight, and the gift of courage to deal with it.
Second, seek a solution. Let God lead you - by the Spirit, with the wisdom of the Word, and through the counsel of trusted friends - to change what needs to change, to reconcile what needs to be reconciled.
Third, learn to accept those things beyond your control with grace. We can spend more time than necessary or helpful trying to make the world around us fit into our expectations. Or, we can realize when it time to move forward leaving things we cannot change in the hands of God, trusting His promise to ultimately use all things to work for our good!
Reinhold Neibuhr penned a prayer that has come to be called the Serenity Prayer. It circulates in various forms, rewritten and reworked because he never sought a copy right for this work. I use it frequently when dealing with disappointing circumstances and encourage you to pray it - sincerely - often, too.
God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.
I could become vindictive and attack those who have disappointed me. It might feel good in the moment that I gave vent to my anger, but that would just stir up another set of problems which I would then have to solve!
I could sink into self-pity and sulk, making it all about my feelings. "How could they do this to me?" That would only cause me to delay dealing with the real issues involved which are much bigger than my feelings.
I could indulge myself with a shopping spree, or too much food, or some other distraction, but there are many downsides in those choices that are obvious to me!
I could look for a scapegoat, someone to focus my anger on or to blame for the situation. Nothing is accomplished by this except to create a wider circle of problems.
When life goes wrong for you, do you allow yourself to engage in self-defeating behavior or lock into self-defeating thought patterns? We will all experience disappointment as a result of the actions of other people and we will all fail someone, sometime, and somewhere! We are imperfect people living in an imperfect world. We have an Enemy who exploits every situation as much as he can to break relationships, to make us feel helpless or alone, to tempt us to the choices of a victim. Christ Jesus, whose Spirit lives in those who are His, offers us a different way to live. Take a look. "Christ lives in you. So you are alive because God has accepted you... My dear friends, we must not live to satisfy our desires. If you do, you will die. But you will live, if by the help of God’s Spirit you say "No" to your desires. Only those people who are led by God’s Spirit are his children." (Romans 8:10, 12-14, CEV)
I am not a victim of circumstances because my Lord Jesus Christ lifts me above them! Because am no longer in the grip of an old sinful nature, I can choose to respond, to solve the problem instead of magnifying it. Take a look at this empowering promise God gives to us. "The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. " (Romans 8:2, The Message) "Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Focusing on the self is the opposite of focusing on God. Anyone completely absorbed in self ignores God, ends up thinking more about self than God. That person ignores who God is and what he is doing. And God isn’t pleased at being ignored. But if God himself has taken up residence in your life, you can hardly be thinking more of yourself than of him. Anyone, of course, who has not welcomed this invisible but clearly present God, the Spirit of Christ, won’t know what we’re talking about." (Romans 8:6-9, The Message)
Choosing to live as a mature spiritual person instead of a self-indulgent child, isn't natural, nor is it ever easy, but it is always right!
So what do we do when disappointment and/or disillusionment comes our way?
First, take it to the Lord in prayer! Seek His wisdom, insight, and the gift of courage to deal with it.
Second, seek a solution. Let God lead you - by the Spirit, with the wisdom of the Word, and through the counsel of trusted friends - to change what needs to change, to reconcile what needs to be reconciled.
Third, learn to accept those things beyond your control with grace. We can spend more time than necessary or helpful trying to make the world around us fit into our expectations. Or, we can realize when it time to move forward leaving things we cannot change in the hands of God, trusting His promise to ultimately use all things to work for our good!
Reinhold Neibuhr penned a prayer that has come to be called the Serenity Prayer. It circulates in various forms, rewritten and reworked because he never sought a copy right for this work. I use it frequently when dealing with disappointing circumstances and encourage you to pray it - sincerely - often, too.
God, give us grace to accept with serenity
the things that cannot be changed,
courage to change the things
which should be changed,
and the wisdom to distinguish
the one from the other.
Living one day at a time,
Enjoying one moment at a time,
Accepting hardship as a pathway to peace,
Taking, as Jesus did,
This sinful world as it is,
Not as I would have it,
Trusting that You will make all things right,
If I surrender to Your will,
So that I may be reasonably happy in this life,
And supremely happy with You forever in the next.
Amen.
Friday, October 26, 2007
The Religion of Reputation
I watch a TV Ministry almost weekly (left unnamed purposefully) and I really enjoy the great music on the program. However, when one of the preachers comes on screen, his words are almost always superlatives:
"Best song I've ever heard!"
"Most inspiring anthem from the best choir in the world."
"Most profound book I've read in the last 10 years!"
"A story so interesting, everybody will want to hear it."
And all these words are delivered in a bass voice that is trained to resonate! Word inflation cheapens the value of his praise! The end result is that I discount whatever he says. Isn't that sad? A man whose has a life calling to speaking the Truth lacks credibility. Here's why- he is much too concerned about impressing others. He is serving a Christian television monster that requires a growing audience, to provide a continuously increasing revenue stream, so it can on more stations, so it can attract a growing audience..... Are you starting to see the problem? Now, I do not know, nor should I judge, if that preacher has a deep love for the Lord, but it is obvious that the opinions of other people about his church and ministry are tremendously important to him because he thinks he must impress people to attract them as viewers and supporters. When he starts to look around at people instead looking up for the applause of the audience of One, his efforts sure appear to be compromised, at least from where I stand.
Religion that is misused to burnish egos is very common and not just among TV preachers.
I must admit that occasionally when I pray public prayers, I fall into the trap of speaking to the people in the room instead of God! I misuse my prayers in ways that are not related to actually communicating with the Lord. In that, I sin! May God forgive me. Such 'prayer' is not prayer at all, because it is addressed to people in the disguise of speaking to God. Honest prayers care nothing for the opinion of those who may hear them, for they are conversation with the One, not the many. Churches fall into the trap of serving ego-based religion when they give the largest donor a seat on the board regardless of his or her spiritual gifts or Christian maturity, or when they name the new education wing for the person who gave the first $million for construction! Worshippers get it wrong the moment they start to be concerned about what the person next to them is thinking- good or bad- about the way they are interacting with God!
Jesus warns "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. ... When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
"And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? "Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. " (Matthew 6:1, 3-6, The Message)
Here's the paradox in all of this. Our good works will attract attention. In this same sermon, Jesus says, "Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven!" The goodness and love that comes from the life of the Spirit in us will make us stand out in a sin-filled world in stark contrast. But, never should our intent be to attract attention! We simply love God, giving our best to Him, seeking His will in all things, and living a life that is shaped to win His approval. The by-product of that kind of life is an undeniable reality that brings attention, not so much to me or you, but to the One we love.
Believer are you trying to look good or are you seeking to serve God well? On the surface the difference is so slight it is seldom noticed, but over time religion that used to enhance our reputation or our standing in the church shows the corrupt core, rotting from the inside out. That kind of pride shows itself in envy and jealous, in craving of recognition, in striving for positions of power and/or influence and James say that "Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced." (James 3:16-17, The Message) Rotten motives among those who 'serve' lead to many a church fight and much bickering among Believers whose lives should be the epitome of love, according to the Savior's wisdom.
Pastor Bill Hybels wrote a book with this simple title- Who You Are When No One's Looking. That is, I believe, a great test for the authenticity of our desire to serve God. Are you prayers as loud and fervent in your bedroom as they are in the sanctuary? Are your secret thoughts as pure as your carefully screened words? Do you give of your self and your time to those who cannot repay as generously as you do to those who have the ability to repay you with thanks and/or kindness?
Here's a challenge from the Word to ponder today. "When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. ... God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well." (Matthew 6:16-18, The Message)
___________________________________
"Best song I've ever heard!"
"Most inspiring anthem from the best choir in the world."
"Most profound book I've read in the last 10 years!"
"A story so interesting, everybody will want to hear it."
And all these words are delivered in a bass voice that is trained to resonate! Word inflation cheapens the value of his praise! The end result is that I discount whatever he says. Isn't that sad? A man whose has a life calling to speaking the Truth lacks credibility. Here's why- he is much too concerned about impressing others. He is serving a Christian television monster that requires a growing audience, to provide a continuously increasing revenue stream, so it can on more stations, so it can attract a growing audience..... Are you starting to see the problem? Now, I do not know, nor should I judge, if that preacher has a deep love for the Lord, but it is obvious that the opinions of other people about his church and ministry are tremendously important to him because he thinks he must impress people to attract them as viewers and supporters. When he starts to look around at people instead looking up for the applause of the audience of One, his efforts sure appear to be compromised, at least from where I stand.
Religion that is misused to burnish egos is very common and not just among TV preachers.
I must admit that occasionally when I pray public prayers, I fall into the trap of speaking to the people in the room instead of God! I misuse my prayers in ways that are not related to actually communicating with the Lord. In that, I sin! May God forgive me. Such 'prayer' is not prayer at all, because it is addressed to people in the disguise of speaking to God. Honest prayers care nothing for the opinion of those who may hear them, for they are conversation with the One, not the many. Churches fall into the trap of serving ego-based religion when they give the largest donor a seat on the board regardless of his or her spiritual gifts or Christian maturity, or when they name the new education wing for the person who gave the first $million for construction! Worshippers get it wrong the moment they start to be concerned about what the person next to them is thinking- good or bad- about the way they are interacting with God!
Jesus warns "Be especially careful when you are trying to be good so that you don’t make a performance out of it. It might be good theater, but the God who made you won’t be applauding. ... When you help someone out, don’t think about how it looks. Just do it—quietly and unobtrusively. That is the way your God, who conceived you in love, working behind the scenes, helps you out.
"And when you come before God, don’t turn that into a theatrical production either. All these people making a regular show out of their prayers, hoping for stardom! Do you think God sits in a box seat? "Here’s what I want you to do: Find a quiet, secluded place so you won’t be tempted to role-play before God. Just be there as simply and honestly as you can manage. The focus will shift from you to God, and you will begin to sense his grace. " (Matthew 6:1, 3-6, The Message)
Here's the paradox in all of this. Our good works will attract attention. In this same sermon, Jesus says, "Let your light shine before men so that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven!" The goodness and love that comes from the life of the Spirit in us will make us stand out in a sin-filled world in stark contrast. But, never should our intent be to attract attention! We simply love God, giving our best to Him, seeking His will in all things, and living a life that is shaped to win His approval. The by-product of that kind of life is an undeniable reality that brings attention, not so much to me or you, but to the One we love.
Believer are you trying to look good or are you seeking to serve God well? On the surface the difference is so slight it is seldom noticed, but over time religion that used to enhance our reputation or our standing in the church shows the corrupt core, rotting from the inside out. That kind of pride shows itself in envy and jealous, in craving of recognition, in striving for positions of power and/or influence and James say that "Whenever you’re trying to look better than others or get the better of others, things fall apart and everyone ends up at the others’ throats. Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced." (James 3:16-17, The Message) Rotten motives among those who 'serve' lead to many a church fight and much bickering among Believers whose lives should be the epitome of love, according to the Savior's wisdom.
Pastor Bill Hybels wrote a book with this simple title- Who You Are When No One's Looking. That is, I believe, a great test for the authenticity of our desire to serve God. Are you prayers as loud and fervent in your bedroom as they are in the sanctuary? Are your secret thoughts as pure as your carefully screened words? Do you give of your self and your time to those who cannot repay as generously as you do to those who have the ability to repay you with thanks and/or kindness?
Here's a challenge from the Word to ponder today. "When you practice some appetite-denying discipline to better concentrate on God, don’t make a production out of it. It might turn you into a small-time celebrity but it won’t make you a saint. If you ‘go into training’ inwardly, act normal outwardly. ... God doesn’t require attention-getting devices. He won’t overlook what you are doing; he’ll reward you well." (Matthew 6:16-18, The Message)
___________________________________
Thursday, October 25, 2007
Baseball, football, and God!
I don't watch baseball games. The game seems to me like a throwback to another time, moving rather slowly, with long stretches of not much happening, punctuated with frantic flurries of men dashing along baselines. I probably just typed heresy for those of you who love the game. Don't get me wrong. I'm not hostile to the game. In fact, I'm glad that many enjoy it. I enjoy hearing them talk about the actions of men on a field pre-occupied with a small white sphere, but I never know exactly what to say to an avid fan. The insiders lingo is foreign to me. The strategy is beyond me. I used to take my kids to a AA Mets club in Pittsfield, MA but not really for the game! It was the experience of their joy that made it a great outing for me. And, despite my lack of interest in the sport, I am aware that it World Series week, with the Boston Red Sox and the Colorado Rockies in pursuit of the championship. So, for my friend Terry's sake I say, "Go Boston!"
I wonder how many people feel the same way about 'faith' that I feel about baseball? They're glad you enjoy it, even enjoy your enthusiasm for it, but don't really 'get it' at all. To them, church services seem a little slow, often even old-fashioned. The language of the faithful is sometimes hard to understand and there are 'insider' routines that are downright mysterious. They attend church occasionally with family members and appreciate the joy of those who participate, even if they don't know exactly what's going on. And, come Christmas or Easter, they're aware of the general flow of things, much like my general awareness of the Series, and they say, "Go Jesus!" - not irreverently, but because it is the thing to do.
At one time, the American sport of football also was something of a mystery to me, too. What was so interesting about 22 men running around and falling down on an oblong object, then getting up, forming a line and doing it all over again? Then my friend, Jerry Jacob, invited me to the local high school's football games where he patiently taught me to really see what was happening. He showed me how to see plays being set up, how to read the defense, what the offense was doing. Now I understand a zone defense and man to man coverage! I can spot a passing play being set up. What was incomprehensible has become a game I truly enjoy watching because someone was willing to 'convert' me into a football fan and to be my teacher. "Go New England Patriots!"
Believer, Jesus taught us to be intentional about making His Gospel known, about introducing others to Him. He said, "Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."" (Matthew 28:19-20, The Message) When Jerry Jacob taught me about football, he had to step out of his comfort zone and put himself in my place. He probably wanted to just enjoy the games, but instead he patiently instructed me as he interpreted the game for me. When we are introducing others to Christ and the practices of our faith, we need that kind of patience and ability to bridge the gap!
Jerry's obvious enthusiasm for Warren Hills football made me curious! I wanted to experience that same fun that he had so I tagged along to games. In much the same way, if obviously love the Lord and demonstrate that He makes a real difference in the quality of life for us, others will want to know what's up with us, too.
Are you doing 'outreach' for Christ?
Are you intentional about helping others understand your faith?
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." (Proverbs 11:30, NIV)
_______________________________
Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;
Tell of His pow'r to forgive.
Others will trust Him if only you prove true
Every moment you live.
Give as 'twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you.
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Make Me a Blessing
© 1924. Renewed 1952 Word Music, Inc.
(a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
I wonder how many people feel the same way about 'faith' that I feel about baseball? They're glad you enjoy it, even enjoy your enthusiasm for it, but don't really 'get it' at all. To them, church services seem a little slow, often even old-fashioned. The language of the faithful is sometimes hard to understand and there are 'insider' routines that are downright mysterious. They attend church occasionally with family members and appreciate the joy of those who participate, even if they don't know exactly what's going on. And, come Christmas or Easter, they're aware of the general flow of things, much like my general awareness of the Series, and they say, "Go Jesus!" - not irreverently, but because it is the thing to do.
At one time, the American sport of football also was something of a mystery to me, too. What was so interesting about 22 men running around and falling down on an oblong object, then getting up, forming a line and doing it all over again? Then my friend, Jerry Jacob, invited me to the local high school's football games where he patiently taught me to really see what was happening. He showed me how to see plays being set up, how to read the defense, what the offense was doing. Now I understand a zone defense and man to man coverage! I can spot a passing play being set up. What was incomprehensible has become a game I truly enjoy watching because someone was willing to 'convert' me into a football fan and to be my teacher. "Go New England Patriots!"
Believer, Jesus taught us to be intentional about making His Gospel known, about introducing others to Him. He said, "Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age."" (Matthew 28:19-20, The Message) When Jerry Jacob taught me about football, he had to step out of his comfort zone and put himself in my place. He probably wanted to just enjoy the games, but instead he patiently instructed me as he interpreted the game for me. When we are introducing others to Christ and the practices of our faith, we need that kind of patience and ability to bridge the gap!
Jerry's obvious enthusiasm for Warren Hills football made me curious! I wanted to experience that same fun that he had so I tagged along to games. In much the same way, if obviously love the Lord and demonstrate that He makes a real difference in the quality of life for us, others will want to know what's up with us, too.
Are you doing 'outreach' for Christ?
Are you intentional about helping others understand your faith?
"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." (Proverbs 11:30, NIV)
_______________________________
Out in the highways and byways of life,
Many are weary and sad.
Carry the sunshine where darkness is rife,
Making the sorrowing glad.
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Tell the sweet story of Christ and His love;
Tell of His pow'r to forgive.
Others will trust Him if only you prove true
Every moment you live.
Give as 'twas given to you in your need;
Love as the Master loved you.
Be to the helpless a helper indeed;
Unto your mission be true.
Make me a blessing, Make me a blessing,
Out of my life may Jesus shine;
Make me a blessing, O Savior I pray,
Make me a blessing to someone today.
Make Me a Blessing
© 1924. Renewed 1952 Word Music, Inc.
(a div. of Word Music Group, Inc.)
CCLI License No. 810055
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
A reluctant leader
Politics used to be one of my passions. While living in Massachusetts I ran for an office quaintly called a Selectman, a town councilman. As a conservative in one of the most liberal states in the country, I was not elected, finishing 6th in a field of 7! However, the experience of knocking on doors, standing in front of the post office shaking hands every Saturday morning, and being 'attacked' in letters to the editor was an amazing civics lesson. I am not as excited by the political process as I once was, but I continue to have an interest in the process, so I have watched the Presidential race with more than passing interest.
Do ever wonder what possesses a person to want to be the President of the United States? A candidate's entire life is open to question, on display, dissected and criticized endlessly. Privacy is a thing of the past. Critics abound. Praise is scant, problems are huge, and the threat of bodily harm is never far away. Once elected, that person cannot even run down to McDonald's for a burger if he wants one without mobilizing a small army of security and shutting down parts of the city! Drawing on my own experience in my very small foray in politics, I believe those candidates have a noble impulse, believing that they have a program that will benefit the nation if they are elected. To be sure each has a huge ego. If they did not, they would not survive the rough and tumble of Presidential politics, but they also want to make a difference for this country - at great cost to themselves and their families.
Unlike Romney, Guilani, Clinton, or Edwards - Gideon, a leader of Israel that we meet in the book of Judges, was a reluctant leader. He didn't run for office, nor did local politicos seek him out and try to convince him to become a candidate! He was a farmer just trying to feed his family when God sent an angel to the oak of Ophrah that belonged to Joash, the Abiezerite. (Just threw in those little details for fun!) This man was not bold, nor was he brave. When he first appears in the Bible story, he is concealing himself as best he could, avoiding attracting attention, trying to thresh wheat in a tiny winepress in a remote place. But God saw qualities in him that He needed at that time, in that place, so He sent a divine recruiter. "The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, "Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!"" (Judges 6:12, NLT) Gideon's response is almost funny. Cynically, he asks the messenger, "If the Lord is with us, why are all these bad things happening to us? Where are all those miracles that I heard about in the past?" The ensuing conversation continues in much the same give and take. The angel tells Gideon God wants him to be Israel's deliverer. Gideon tells the angel he doesn't want the job!
Finally, Gideon prepares a sacrifice which the angel touched with the tip of his staff and it was miraculously burnt up! So, Gideon was convinced, right? Wrong. He was still not ready to work for God. So we come to the story for which Gideon is best known. "Then Gideon said to God, "If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised." And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, "Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew." So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew." (Judges 6:36-40, NLT) After that, he was a changed man and became a great leader, restoring Israel's security and prosperity.
Are you reluctant to let God use you, Believer?
Do you look at those around you and see people more skilled, better prepared, and feel intimidated - thinking, "Lord, I'll just stand by quietly. Use them!"?
Does the cost of joining God's service seem too high?
Consider Gideon, the reluctant leader! God saw in him what he could not see in himself. Where his neighbor's saw a man without much to distinguish himself, God saw a man who thought strategically, who would learn to respond obediently and faithfully, and who could accomplish amazing things. And the Lord persistently called this man, encouraging him through his doubts, to a place of effective service. He can do the same in you and through you!
Here's what I learn from the Bible - all of God's children are called to serve and equipped for the task to which He calls them. The Holy Spirit divinely empowers us to serve the purposes of God in our world. A sample listing of the ways He prepares us for service is found in the Word where we read this amazing and wonderful promise. "A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.
It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have." (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, NLT)
Don't be reluctant!
Put yourself at God's disposal. Let Him use you. It will cost you! However, the results will resound to His glory and your faithful service will earn you the commendation of Heaven. Is anything better than that?
Do ever wonder what possesses a person to want to be the President of the United States? A candidate's entire life is open to question, on display, dissected and criticized endlessly. Privacy is a thing of the past. Critics abound. Praise is scant, problems are huge, and the threat of bodily harm is never far away. Once elected, that person cannot even run down to McDonald's for a burger if he wants one without mobilizing a small army of security and shutting down parts of the city! Drawing on my own experience in my very small foray in politics, I believe those candidates have a noble impulse, believing that they have a program that will benefit the nation if they are elected. To be sure each has a huge ego. If they did not, they would not survive the rough and tumble of Presidential politics, but they also want to make a difference for this country - at great cost to themselves and their families.
Unlike Romney, Guilani, Clinton, or Edwards - Gideon, a leader of Israel that we meet in the book of Judges, was a reluctant leader. He didn't run for office, nor did local politicos seek him out and try to convince him to become a candidate! He was a farmer just trying to feed his family when God sent an angel to the oak of Ophrah that belonged to Joash, the Abiezerite. (Just threw in those little details for fun!) This man was not bold, nor was he brave. When he first appears in the Bible story, he is concealing himself as best he could, avoiding attracting attention, trying to thresh wheat in a tiny winepress in a remote place. But God saw qualities in him that He needed at that time, in that place, so He sent a divine recruiter. "The angel of the Lord appeared to him and said, "Mighty hero, the Lord is with you!"" (Judges 6:12, NLT) Gideon's response is almost funny. Cynically, he asks the messenger, "If the Lord is with us, why are all these bad things happening to us? Where are all those miracles that I heard about in the past?" The ensuing conversation continues in much the same give and take. The angel tells Gideon God wants him to be Israel's deliverer. Gideon tells the angel he doesn't want the job!
Finally, Gideon prepares a sacrifice which the angel touched with the tip of his staff and it was miraculously burnt up! So, Gideon was convinced, right? Wrong. He was still not ready to work for God. So we come to the story for which Gideon is best known. "Then Gideon said to God, "If you are truly going to use me to rescue Israel as you promised, prove it to me in this way. I will put a wool fleece on the threshing floor tonight. If the fleece is wet with dew in the morning but the ground is dry, then I will know that you are going to help me rescue Israel as you promised." And that is just what happened. When Gideon got up early the next morning, he squeezed the fleece and wrung out a whole bowlful of water. Then Gideon said to God, "Please don’t be angry with me, but let me make one more request. Let me use the fleece for one more test. This time let the fleece remain dry while the ground around it is wet with dew." So that night God did as Gideon asked. The fleece was dry in the morning, but the ground was covered with dew." (Judges 6:36-40, NLT) After that, he was a changed man and became a great leader, restoring Israel's security and prosperity.
Are you reluctant to let God use you, Believer?
Do you look at those around you and see people more skilled, better prepared, and feel intimidated - thinking, "Lord, I'll just stand by quietly. Use them!"?
Does the cost of joining God's service seem too high?
Consider Gideon, the reluctant leader! God saw in him what he could not see in himself. Where his neighbor's saw a man without much to distinguish himself, God saw a man who thought strategically, who would learn to respond obediently and faithfully, and who could accomplish amazing things. And the Lord persistently called this man, encouraging him through his doubts, to a place of effective service. He can do the same in you and through you!
Here's what I learn from the Bible - all of God's children are called to serve and equipped for the task to which He calls them. The Holy Spirit divinely empowers us to serve the purposes of God in our world. A sample listing of the ways He prepares us for service is found in the Word where we read this amazing and wonderful promise. "A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said.
It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have." (1 Corinthians 12:7-11, NLT)
Don't be reluctant!
Put yourself at God's disposal. Let Him use you. It will cost you! However, the results will resound to His glory and your faithful service will earn you the commendation of Heaven. Is anything better than that?
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
No excuses, no explanations!
My Dad used to tell me, "Son, if you want to succeed you've got to pay attention to the pennies and the mice!" It's a homespun phrase of farming origin. The mice are little creatures but they can consume an amazing amount of grain, eating the farmer's profit. The phrase taught a principle that a life well-lived begins with the details, with paying attention to excellence around the small things. By way of illustration, I know that leading a church well does not start when I walk to the pulpit for the most public part of my work. It begins with personal disciplines of prayer, study, and good work habits. Creating a culture of excellence in our church not only involves the Sunday sermon; it extends to the little things nobody sees - like keeping church finances in order, picking up the trash left in the parking lot, and replacing burnt out light bulbs.
Tony Dungy, a committed Believer and an NFL coach who has led the Tampa Bucs and the Indianapolis Colts to championship levels, recently published a book, Quiet Strength. (Tyndale, 2007 ) He tells his teams that when they fail to win there are 'no excuses, no explanations.' The solution is to go back to work to get it right. He writes about the philosophy he instills in his team, "Champions know it is all important. The little things coaches are asking of you really do matter..... You can always find excuses for not doing exactly what you're supposed to do, but that is exactly what creates a losing environment."
I can name many people of lesser innate abilities who reach greater success than those with great talent. Why? Because those blessed with the brains, or the good looks, or the brawn - often let down on the hard work of preparation because they over-estimates their advantages. The guy with less education or less physical advantages knows that he has to prepare and perform at a consistently higher level to get the win. Winners function with focus, paying attention to the daily disciplines that build strength and character. When they win, they celebrate then go back to work. When they lose, there are 'no excuses, no explanations.'
Spiritually, I know that same principles work! Ask my adult children why they are active Believers today and one of the things they'll mention was that they were trained, from birth all the way through high school, to give church meetings on Sundays the first priority of life. They were never allowed to skip worship; not because of late nights, work, or sports. That discipline taught them that being a Christian required choices and self-denial. "Oh. come on, Jerry. We both know that being a Believer starts in the heart with faith." Yes, you are right, but the choices we make matter, too. For example, church attendance is a tangible way to say to God, the world, and ourselves - "God is Number One, not a god who serves my convenience." Choosing to be in corporate worship is one way to reinforce a much greater principle- Put God first. Yet, many Believers, because they think they are stronger than they are, will have a hit or miss church attendance pattern, allowing almost any activity to take priority on Sunday morning. They miss out on the encouragement of the Body, never experience the joy and camaraderie of true ministry, because of their inconsistency.
The principle applies to all the spiritual disciplines. A consistent prayer life is a cornerstone to spiritual strength. Getting up just 15 minutes earlier to allow for a focused time to converse with God can make a huge difference, but for many prayer becomes a reaction that occurs in crisis instead of a purposed meeting that allows God to lead and guide. Some think that because they don't have a red-hot conversation with God everyday (nor do I, by the way) they assume they can let it go today, and tomorrow, and . . . in time, intimacy with the Lord is lost. Regular reading of the Word, and study with a group, gives a person access to the wisdom of God and foundational principles for life. Yet, for many Believers, Bible study is non-existent, replaced by a 'devotional' reading of a few lines, robbing that person of the wisdom of the Word.
Are you thinking like a winner, doing what it takes to shape your life with principles that lead to excellence? Or, are you cutting corners, letting the little things go, and letting your life slide into destruction, one small choice at a time? At the end of his life, Paul reflected on a life well-lived. He served the Lord faithfully in spite of hardships. He kept his eyes on the goal, never giving in to the temptation to 'go easy.' About mid-way through his ministry life, he wrote of the pursuit of excellence. "Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NLT)
As a result of living this way, years later he was able to sum up his life and express his hope with these words, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NLT)
Success - on the football field, in the realm of business, in your marriage, in raising your children; yes even in becoming a mature, fruitful Christian - starts with a commitment to excellence, even in the small things. So, "pay attention to the pennies and the mice!"
Tony Dungy, a committed Believer and an NFL coach who has led the Tampa Bucs and the Indianapolis Colts to championship levels, recently published a book, Quiet Strength. (Tyndale, 2007 ) He tells his teams that when they fail to win there are 'no excuses, no explanations.' The solution is to go back to work to get it right. He writes about the philosophy he instills in his team, "Champions know it is all important. The little things coaches are asking of you really do matter..... You can always find excuses for not doing exactly what you're supposed to do, but that is exactly what creates a losing environment."
I can name many people of lesser innate abilities who reach greater success than those with great talent. Why? Because those blessed with the brains, or the good looks, or the brawn - often let down on the hard work of preparation because they over-estimates their advantages. The guy with less education or less physical advantages knows that he has to prepare and perform at a consistently higher level to get the win. Winners function with focus, paying attention to the daily disciplines that build strength and character. When they win, they celebrate then go back to work. When they lose, there are 'no excuses, no explanations.'
Spiritually, I know that same principles work! Ask my adult children why they are active Believers today and one of the things they'll mention was that they were trained, from birth all the way through high school, to give church meetings on Sundays the first priority of life. They were never allowed to skip worship; not because of late nights, work, or sports. That discipline taught them that being a Christian required choices and self-denial. "Oh. come on, Jerry. We both know that being a Believer starts in the heart with faith." Yes, you are right, but the choices we make matter, too. For example, church attendance is a tangible way to say to God, the world, and ourselves - "God is Number One, not a god who serves my convenience." Choosing to be in corporate worship is one way to reinforce a much greater principle- Put God first. Yet, many Believers, because they think they are stronger than they are, will have a hit or miss church attendance pattern, allowing almost any activity to take priority on Sunday morning. They miss out on the encouragement of the Body, never experience the joy and camaraderie of true ministry, because of their inconsistency.
The principle applies to all the spiritual disciplines. A consistent prayer life is a cornerstone to spiritual strength. Getting up just 15 minutes earlier to allow for a focused time to converse with God can make a huge difference, but for many prayer becomes a reaction that occurs in crisis instead of a purposed meeting that allows God to lead and guide. Some think that because they don't have a red-hot conversation with God everyday (nor do I, by the way) they assume they can let it go today, and tomorrow, and . . . in time, intimacy with the Lord is lost. Regular reading of the Word, and study with a group, gives a person access to the wisdom of God and foundational principles for life. Yet, for many Believers, Bible study is non-existent, replaced by a 'devotional' reading of a few lines, robbing that person of the wisdom of the Word.
Are you thinking like a winner, doing what it takes to shape your life with principles that lead to excellence? Or, are you cutting corners, letting the little things go, and letting your life slide into destruction, one small choice at a time? At the end of his life, Paul reflected on a life well-lived. He served the Lord faithfully in spite of hardships. He kept his eyes on the goal, never giving in to the temptation to 'go easy.' About mid-way through his ministry life, he wrote of the pursuit of excellence. "Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others I myself might be disqualified." (1 Corinthians 9:24-27, NLT)
As a result of living this way, years later he was able to sum up his life and express his hope with these words, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of his return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to his appearing." (2 Timothy 4:7-8, NLT)
Success - on the football field, in the realm of business, in your marriage, in raising your children; yes even in becoming a mature, fruitful Christian - starts with a commitment to excellence, even in the small things. So, "pay attention to the pennies and the mice!"
Monday, October 22, 2007
Real Joy, Inspiring Hope
I am hopeful about tomorrow! Neither the threat of war, nor the supposed onset of the "last days" makes me worry. Militant Islam is a real issue for the world, but I am not losing sleep over it. Industrialization is having an impact on the environment, but I am not in despair about that. (Sorry, Mr. Gore!) Churches in this nation are, on the whole, not very healthy, filled as they are with unconverted people who serve themselves rather than Christ; but I am confident that Christianity will thrive, none the less. (Yes, I believe that with all due respect to Mr. Barna's research!) When I see what is happening in America's homes and families, I am motivated to work for real change, for the trends are not good. Yet, I believe there are victories ahead. (Dr. Dobson's gloomy forecasts not withstanding.) Personally, I do not like what the process of aging is bringing my way, but I anticipate blessings that will offset the losses. And, yes, Heaven is closer every day.
Is all this 'hope,' just coming from a relentless optimism? Not at all!
Am I just choosing to ignore reality to 'look on the sunny side of life?' No, again.
My hope comes from the Lord! Through the whole Bible there is a thread of hope that is tied to God's faithfulness, to God's promises to ultimately defeat Evil. My life is anchored in Him, therefore how can I not win in the end, too? I need not trudge through life marked by negativism and need, sucking life from all those that come into my circle like a black hole consumes matter. Instead, as I am renewed by the Holy Spirit, I am made radiant, a person who reflects God's light and life to the world in which I live and work. This is more than optimism or living positively. There is nothing wrong with either of those except that sooner or later they can be defeated. Seasons in life come when there are many difficulties and troubles, when sickness and death come in waves that nearly overwhelm us, when disasters diminish the quality of life, and when unexplained suffering stretches on, and on. In those times, thinking positively won't work. Mere optimism, in those moments, is just whistling bravely in the dark.
But hope that comes from God is greater than anything that comes our way in the course of life. The Scripture says this - "None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:37-39, The Message) The more of life that I experience, the more hopeful I become, precisely because I see His faithfulness through it all.
Jeremiah, a prophet who was called by God to preach to a people who ignored him for his entire life, remained full of faith. Why? Because he was thinking positively? Perhaps he did, but his real hope was anchored to his conviction that God was greater than the circumstances in which he found himself. "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" (Lamentations 3:22-24, NLT)
Believer are you facing a tough day, a hard week, a challenging Fall, a long Winter?
Will you allow the challenges that stretch out in front of you to rob you of the joy of living and turn you into a negative person who drains vitality from others? Or, will you turn to the Lord and take hope from Him?
Let God, be God. Give up your demand to make all things fit your ideals or meet your agenda. Make Him Lord of all, and you will find that hope will grow strong, sustaining you, filling you with faith that overcomes.
Here's a word from the Word. May it create hope in your soul today.
"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." (Psalm 34:1-10, NIV)
Is all this 'hope,' just coming from a relentless optimism? Not at all!
Am I just choosing to ignore reality to 'look on the sunny side of life?' No, again.
My hope comes from the Lord! Through the whole Bible there is a thread of hope that is tied to God's faithfulness, to God's promises to ultimately defeat Evil. My life is anchored in Him, therefore how can I not win in the end, too? I need not trudge through life marked by negativism and need, sucking life from all those that come into my circle like a black hole consumes matter. Instead, as I am renewed by the Holy Spirit, I am made radiant, a person who reflects God's light and life to the world in which I live and work. This is more than optimism or living positively. There is nothing wrong with either of those except that sooner or later they can be defeated. Seasons in life come when there are many difficulties and troubles, when sickness and death come in waves that nearly overwhelm us, when disasters diminish the quality of life, and when unexplained suffering stretches on, and on. In those times, thinking positively won't work. Mere optimism, in those moments, is just whistling bravely in the dark.
But hope that comes from God is greater than anything that comes our way in the course of life. The Scripture says this - "None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us." (Romans 8:37-39, The Message) The more of life that I experience, the more hopeful I become, precisely because I see His faithfulness through it all.
Jeremiah, a prophet who was called by God to preach to a people who ignored him for his entire life, remained full of faith. Why? Because he was thinking positively? Perhaps he did, but his real hope was anchored to his conviction that God was greater than the circumstances in which he found himself. "The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, "The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!" (Lamentations 3:22-24, NLT)
Believer are you facing a tough day, a hard week, a challenging Fall, a long Winter?
Will you allow the challenges that stretch out in front of you to rob you of the joy of living and turn you into a negative person who drains vitality from others? Or, will you turn to the Lord and take hope from Him?
Let God, be God. Give up your demand to make all things fit your ideals or meet your agenda. Make Him Lord of all, and you will find that hope will grow strong, sustaining you, filling you with faith that overcomes.
Here's a word from the Word. May it create hope in your soul today.
"I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.
My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.
Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.
I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.
Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.
This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.
The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.
Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.
Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.
The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing." (Psalm 34:1-10, NIV)
Thursday, October 18, 2007
You just don't understand...
I have a friend who is intelligent, even savvy to the things of this world. I enjoy talking with him, except that he does not 'get' the most important part of my life- loving God! He's a great guy, full of interesting stories, but when it comes to spiritual matters, he's a blank page. We were swapping stories about our kids recently. He told about his kids being promoted, taking interesting jobs, making investments- all good stuff. Then I shared about Chrissie, Peter, Natalie, and Sean taking jobs where they could serve people and express their love for the Lord, most recently accepting positions as teachers in Christians schools.
He asked, "What does that pay?'
"Peanuts," I answered.
"They need to think about the future," he said.
"They are," I replied. As you can imagine the conversation went nowhere. For my friend, thinking about the future means building a strong resume and a fat bank account. For me thinking about the future means pleasing God and building His Kingdom.
My friend thinks that the spiritual side of life just means being nice, showing concern, or as he said, "doing no harm to others." That it admirable, as far as it goes, but it is a long way from being a disciple of Jesus Christ. My world view that has God at the top of the stack, that makes Him the final reference point in all decisions, that serves Him as the Lord of life - is a fairy tale to him. When I talk about the Lord in familiar terms (quite unconsciously, I might add) he does not argue, but I can tell that he does not understand, at all.
The Scripture teaches there are two kinds of wisdom- one that is ordered by life in this temporal world, one that is ordered from Eternity. ". . . when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets." (1 Corinthians 2:6-10, NLT)
Be careful about reading that and feeling a kind of insider's pride! I do not feel superior to my worldly friend. I didn't figure it out or find this wisdom by any quality inherent in me. God, in His sovereign grace, chose to let me see the unseen, to know that which is beyond 'knowing,' by awakening faith in my heart. My only choice was to say, 'yes,' to His love and to live humbly and obediently before Him. The result is that "God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us." (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, NLT)
I want to urge you, Believer, to two choices today:
First, to thank God that He loves you and that He has called you to love and serve Him! Really thank Him, not with a self-congratulatory commendation your good works, but in deep humility that "God would love a sinner such as I am." We must not offend those who do not know Him as we do, by becoming proud of our spiritual heritage, by implying that we are 'in the Club,' and they are not because we are better than they are. God's loving grace is so amazing, it should bring us to tears just to ponder it. "That God should love a sinner such as I, how wonderful is love like this!"
Second, pray for those around you to be given grace! Borrow Paul's amazing prayer, that "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power... " (Ephesians 1:18-19, NKJV) Only when He reveals Himself and begins to unfold the mystery of faith can the worldly wise man understand!
Here's a story from the Word. Ponder it today, asking, which man do I resemble more?
"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14, NIV)
He asked, "What does that pay?'
"Peanuts," I answered.
"They need to think about the future," he said.
"They are," I replied. As you can imagine the conversation went nowhere. For my friend, thinking about the future means building a strong resume and a fat bank account. For me thinking about the future means pleasing God and building His Kingdom.
My friend thinks that the spiritual side of life just means being nice, showing concern, or as he said, "doing no harm to others." That it admirable, as far as it goes, but it is a long way from being a disciple of Jesus Christ. My world view that has God at the top of the stack, that makes Him the final reference point in all decisions, that serves Him as the Lord of life - is a fairy tale to him. When I talk about the Lord in familiar terms (quite unconsciously, I might add) he does not argue, but I can tell that he does not understand, at all.
The Scripture teaches there are two kinds of wisdom- one that is ordered by life in this temporal world, one that is ordered from Eternity. ". . . when I am among mature believers, I do speak with words of wisdom, but not the kind of wisdom that belongs to this world or to the rulers of this world, who are soon forgotten. No, the wisdom we speak of is the mystery of God—his plan that was previously hidden, even though he made it for our ultimate glory before the world began. But the rulers of this world have not understood it; if they had, they would not have crucified our glorious Lord. That is what the Scriptures mean when they say, "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him." But it was to us that God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets." (1 Corinthians 2:6-10, NLT)
Be careful about reading that and feeling a kind of insider's pride! I do not feel superior to my worldly friend. I didn't figure it out or find this wisdom by any quality inherent in me. God, in His sovereign grace, chose to let me see the unseen, to know that which is beyond 'knowing,' by awakening faith in my heart. My only choice was to say, 'yes,' to His love and to live humbly and obediently before Him. The result is that "God revealed these things by his Spirit. For his Spirit searches out everything and shows us God’s deep secrets. No one can know a person’s thoughts except that person’s own spirit, and no one can know God’s thoughts except God’s own Spirit. And we have received God’s Spirit (not the world’s spirit), so we can know the wonderful things God has freely given us." (1 Corinthians 2:10-12, NLT)
I want to urge you, Believer, to two choices today:
First, to thank God that He loves you and that He has called you to love and serve Him! Really thank Him, not with a self-congratulatory commendation your good works, but in deep humility that "God would love a sinner such as I am." We must not offend those who do not know Him as we do, by becoming proud of our spiritual heritage, by implying that we are 'in the Club,' and they are not because we are better than they are. God's loving grace is so amazing, it should bring us to tears just to ponder it. "That God should love a sinner such as I, how wonderful is love like this!"
Second, pray for those around you to be given grace! Borrow Paul's amazing prayer, that "the eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that you may know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward us who believe, according to the working of His mighty power... " (Ephesians 1:18-19, NKJV) Only when He reveals Himself and begins to unfold the mystery of faith can the worldly wise man understand!
Here's a story from the Word. Ponder it today, asking, which man do I resemble more?
"Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector. The Pharisee stood up and prayed about himself: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
"But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
"I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted." (Luke 18:10-14, NIV)
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
My friend, meet Jesus.
The greatest joy in all of life for me has been raising kids! When my adult offspring call to tell me about how they're wrestling with life, about how they're working out the Christian life loving others, serving Jesus, and living with joyful purpose-- well, nothing in the world compares. It makes me cry, yell, and hug strangers! Bev and I have successfully passed the faith along. Close to that joy is the joy I feel when I have the opportunity to help someone be born as a child of God and then help them work out what it means to be God's kid! Have you led anyone to that point of faith, when they have decided to trust Christ with their life?
In a thought-provoking article in the recent issue of REV. Magazine, Nov/Dec. 2007, Alan Nelson takes on the subject of Evangelism, the work of passing the faith along to others. He kills a lot of sacred cows in four pages! He suggests, and I agree, that "the work of the Church is not evangelism!" OK, take a deep breath and let me finish. It is the work of every Believer! "Church is," Nelson writes, "to mature people in faith ... gathering them together for Bible studies, preaching in-depth sermons about the Bible, and running Christian schools." Think about this. Should every Sunday morning be built around sermons designed to convince the 10% or less present in the church who are without a faith in Christ to become Believers? Doesn't that seem like a colossal waste of time of the 90% in the building who are Believers already? Doesn't it make more sense to strengthen Believers with deep worship, train them with deep teaching, and them send them out equipped to live authentic, thoughtful Christian lives that are compelling to the people without a living faith who live and work with them?
In another controversial paragraph, Nelson opines that 'outreach' as classically defined - street corner preaching, literature distribution, door to door campaigns, etc. - is zero percent effective in making new followers of Jesus in our American culture. Many pastors are still sending out the troops in those efforts and feeling very self-satisfied despite having next to no measurable results in terms of people choosing to trust Christ. "After all," they will say, "they rejected Jesus. So, we're just being rejected with Him." Nope, people are not rejecting Jesus at all. They are rejecting an 'in your face' impersonal method of making Him known. This line really resonates with me. "We'll have to be good news before we can share the good news."
People are so accustomed to hype and oversell that they don't want to just hear about how wonderful knowing Jesus is unless they can see it in our authentic Christian life. If Jesus does not make us loving, serving, caring, faithful to our spouse, honest people then we can just as well save our breath and our money spent on literature! But, where the Spirit is transforming a person into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ, all kinds of opportunities will be created for moving others to consider Christ as their Lord.
There is another line in the article that is worthy of thought, too. "Pre-Believers are far less interested in Truth (capital T) but are interested in personal story." Some more of you just blew a fuse. "Doesn't Jerry know that Jesus is the Truth?" Sure do, friend. Nobody will ever change that. The Gospel is True and there is a moment in our presentation of the message when we will fearlessly challenge someone to believe the Truth. But, few people are going to choose to follow Jesus just because we think we have made an airtight case for sin, the Cross, and substitutionary atonement. (If you're using those words in your first conversation with a pre-believer, my guess is you have not made a convert in at least 15 years!) Once again, there is a time to teach people about those things, but first we have to tell a story - with words and in actions - that earns us the right to talk Truth.
It is my opinion that we live in a time when Americans are more open to spiritual matters than at any time in my adult lifetime. But, they are very skeptical of religion and dogma. They remember too well all the scandals involving preachers and priests that have been headlines news and they will tell you that is why they don't want to hear about 'your church.' Many will also quickly tell you about the holy Joe or Jane that attends their family gatherings with her judgments, her Bible verses, and her books - who is also a gossip and a manipulative self-serving person. When you identify yourself as a Bible-believing Christian, they will put you in the same group. It's happened to me! So, does that mean we shut up? No, we just get smarter about what we say and when we say it. And, we ask God, the Spirit, to make us real, to help us to befriend others without an agenda to 'win them for Jesus.' Genuine love is irresistible!
Here's a word from the Word. Prayerfully ponder the implications for your life today. "Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons and cure diseases. He commissioned them to preach the news of God’s kingdom and heal the sick.
He said, "Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you’re not welcomed, leave town. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on."
Commissioned, they left. They traveled from town to town telling the latest news of God, the Message, and curing people everywhere they went. " (Luke 9:1-6, The Message)
Pray for many opportunities to make Jesus' message known, to be privileged to say, "my friend, meet Jesus." It's your responsibility as a Believer.
Be wise! Be full of the Spirit! Be authentic! And, expect God to open opportunities for you to make Jesus visible in your world.
____________________________________________________________
Let the beauty of Jesus
be seen in me.
All His wonderful passion
and purity.
All my nature refine,
O Thou Spirit divine,
'til the beauty of Jesus
be seen in me!
- author unknown
In a thought-provoking article in the recent issue of REV. Magazine, Nov/Dec. 2007, Alan Nelson takes on the subject of Evangelism, the work of passing the faith along to others. He kills a lot of sacred cows in four pages! He suggests, and I agree, that "the work of the Church is not evangelism!" OK, take a deep breath and let me finish. It is the work of every Believer! "Church is," Nelson writes, "to mature people in faith ... gathering them together for Bible studies, preaching in-depth sermons about the Bible, and running Christian schools." Think about this. Should every Sunday morning be built around sermons designed to convince the 10% or less present in the church who are without a faith in Christ to become Believers? Doesn't that seem like a colossal waste of time of the 90% in the building who are Believers already? Doesn't it make more sense to strengthen Believers with deep worship, train them with deep teaching, and them send them out equipped to live authentic, thoughtful Christian lives that are compelling to the people without a living faith who live and work with them?
In another controversial paragraph, Nelson opines that 'outreach' as classically defined - street corner preaching, literature distribution, door to door campaigns, etc. - is zero percent effective in making new followers of Jesus in our American culture. Many pastors are still sending out the troops in those efforts and feeling very self-satisfied despite having next to no measurable results in terms of people choosing to trust Christ. "After all," they will say, "they rejected Jesus. So, we're just being rejected with Him." Nope, people are not rejecting Jesus at all. They are rejecting an 'in your face' impersonal method of making Him known. This line really resonates with me. "We'll have to be good news before we can share the good news."
People are so accustomed to hype and oversell that they don't want to just hear about how wonderful knowing Jesus is unless they can see it in our authentic Christian life. If Jesus does not make us loving, serving, caring, faithful to our spouse, honest people then we can just as well save our breath and our money spent on literature! But, where the Spirit is transforming a person into the likeness of the Lord Jesus Christ, all kinds of opportunities will be created for moving others to consider Christ as their Lord.
There is another line in the article that is worthy of thought, too. "Pre-Believers are far less interested in Truth (capital T) but are interested in personal story." Some more of you just blew a fuse. "Doesn't Jerry know that Jesus is the Truth?" Sure do, friend. Nobody will ever change that. The Gospel is True and there is a moment in our presentation of the message when we will fearlessly challenge someone to believe the Truth. But, few people are going to choose to follow Jesus just because we think we have made an airtight case for sin, the Cross, and substitutionary atonement. (If you're using those words in your first conversation with a pre-believer, my guess is you have not made a convert in at least 15 years!) Once again, there is a time to teach people about those things, but first we have to tell a story - with words and in actions - that earns us the right to talk Truth.
It is my opinion that we live in a time when Americans are more open to spiritual matters than at any time in my adult lifetime. But, they are very skeptical of religion and dogma. They remember too well all the scandals involving preachers and priests that have been headlines news and they will tell you that is why they don't want to hear about 'your church.' Many will also quickly tell you about the holy Joe or Jane that attends their family gatherings with her judgments, her Bible verses, and her books - who is also a gossip and a manipulative self-serving person. When you identify yourself as a Bible-believing Christian, they will put you in the same group. It's happened to me! So, does that mean we shut up? No, we just get smarter about what we say and when we say it. And, we ask God, the Spirit, to make us real, to help us to befriend others without an agenda to 'win them for Jesus.' Genuine love is irresistible!
Here's a word from the Word. Prayerfully ponder the implications for your life today. "Jesus now called the Twelve and gave them authority and power to deal with all the demons and cure diseases. He commissioned them to preach the news of God’s kingdom and heal the sick.
He said, "Don’t load yourselves up with equipment. Keep it simple; you are the equipment. And no luxury inns—get a modest place and be content there until you leave. If you’re not welcomed, leave town. Don’t make a scene. Shrug your shoulders and move on."
Commissioned, they left. They traveled from town to town telling the latest news of God, the Message, and curing people everywhere they went. " (Luke 9:1-6, The Message)
Pray for many opportunities to make Jesus' message known, to be privileged to say, "my friend, meet Jesus." It's your responsibility as a Believer.
Be wise! Be full of the Spirit! Be authentic! And, expect God to open opportunities for you to make Jesus visible in your world.
____________________________________________________________
Let the beauty of Jesus
be seen in me.
All His wonderful passion
and purity.
All my nature refine,
O Thou Spirit divine,
'til the beauty of Jesus
be seen in me!
- author unknown
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Your Life - God's Plans
"Dad, you;'ll never believe what I dreamt about my future. God showed me that I will be greater even than you." Joseph's teenage enthusiasm to share his dreams earned him the contempt of his brothers. Months later, they sold him to slave traders headed for Egypt. They were probably thinking, "Take that, dreamer boy. Now let's see you become great." In Egypt, Joseph's skill and integrity showed through and he soon became the manager of a rich man's household. A short time later, when he spurned the advanced of the man's wife, she falsely accused him of attempted rape, and he spent years in prison. But God... was using each turn, each 'tragedy' to produce success! He eventually became the Prime Minister of Egypt. His position allowed him, in the plan of God, to provide a safe home for his family in time of famine.
Because his story is told on a few pages of the Bible, we may not appreciate the long years of waiting for God's promises. God was preparing Joseph for His purposes and each experience had a reason for happening, something we can see as we read the story, but which required great faith in Joseph when it was happening. Joseph's success did not begin the moment he took a seat next to Pharaoh! He was successful when he trusted God while being taken into slavery, when he refused the advances of his master's wife, when he chose to be a model prisoner, when endured darkness, hoping for the light to break through.
God has a plan for your life! He prepares circumstances that equip you with experience, situations that develop your character, and brings people into your path that move you towards that purpose. The Scripture assures us that "...we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son." (Romans 8:28-29, The Message) I believe that with my whole heart and mind, but I am not a fatalist! The Bible promises us that God is preparing us for His purpose. And, the Word teaches us that we have a responsibility to exercise faith in our daily decisions that allows us to receive the promises of God. "... do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." (Hebrews 10:35-36, NLT) "... let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)
Along the road of life are countless wrecks, people who started boldly with God, who believed Him and purposed to serve Him passionately. Then, they met difficulties and encountered situations that they felt 'just could not be part of God's plan.'
How could God use a business failure?
What possible good could come from the loss of a dear friend?
Why does He let me struggle with this chronic health problem?
Such questions arise for each of us. Faith does not wipe away the problems of life. Faith gives us a perspective that allows us to trust God in spite of those problems, hoping for Him to use each experience to create in us a greater faith, a deeper obedience so that we will successfully serve Him. Some allow faith to ebb and they turn aside, give up, and attempt to create their own place of security and/or success. Do not be one of them, friend.
Are you in a season of reward? I rejoice with you! Praise God. Are you in a season of testing? I stand with you, asking the Lord to strengthen you. Remember this, success is not just found in the outcome. Success is also the process. It is easy to see the success of the second half of Joseph's life, when he was exercising power, riding in the royal chariot, and living the palace. But Joseph was living a successful life long before that, in Potiphar's house, in prison - in the steady faith that caused him to make the right decisions, instead of the convenient choice.
Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on it today and then live successfully!
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:3-6, NLT)
Because his story is told on a few pages of the Bible, we may not appreciate the long years of waiting for God's promises. God was preparing Joseph for His purposes and each experience had a reason for happening, something we can see as we read the story, but which required great faith in Joseph when it was happening. Joseph's success did not begin the moment he took a seat next to Pharaoh! He was successful when he trusted God while being taken into slavery, when he refused the advances of his master's wife, when he chose to be a model prisoner, when endured darkness, hoping for the light to break through.
God has a plan for your life! He prepares circumstances that equip you with experience, situations that develop your character, and brings people into your path that move you towards that purpose. The Scripture assures us that "...we can be so sure that every detail in our lives of love for God is worked into something good. God knew what he was doing from the very beginning. He decided from the outset to shape the lives of those who love him along the same lines as the life of his Son." (Romans 8:28-29, The Message) I believe that with my whole heart and mind, but I am not a fatalist! The Bible promises us that God is preparing us for His purpose. And, the Word teaches us that we have a responsibility to exercise faith in our daily decisions that allows us to receive the promises of God. "... do not throw away this confident trust in the Lord. Remember the great reward it brings you! Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised." (Hebrews 10:35-36, NLT) "... let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us." (Hebrews 12:1, NLT)
Along the road of life are countless wrecks, people who started boldly with God, who believed Him and purposed to serve Him passionately. Then, they met difficulties and encountered situations that they felt 'just could not be part of God's plan.'
How could God use a business failure?
What possible good could come from the loss of a dear friend?
Why does He let me struggle with this chronic health problem?
Such questions arise for each of us. Faith does not wipe away the problems of life. Faith gives us a perspective that allows us to trust God in spite of those problems, hoping for Him to use each experience to create in us a greater faith, a deeper obedience so that we will successfully serve Him. Some allow faith to ebb and they turn aside, give up, and attempt to create their own place of security and/or success. Do not be one of them, friend.
Are you in a season of reward? I rejoice with you! Praise God. Are you in a season of testing? I stand with you, asking the Lord to strengthen you. Remember this, success is not just found in the outcome. Success is also the process. It is easy to see the success of the second half of Joseph's life, when he was exercising power, riding in the royal chariot, and living the palace. But Joseph was living a successful life long before that, in Potiphar's house, in prison - in the steady faith that caused him to make the right decisions, instead of the convenient choice.
Here's a word from the Word. Meditate on it today and then live successfully!
"Trust in the Lord and do good. Then you will live safely in the land and prosper. Take delight in the Lord, and he will give you your heart’s desires. Commit everything you do to the Lord. Trust him, and he will help you. He will make your innocence radiate like the dawn, and the justice of your cause will shine like the noonday sun." (Psalm 37:3-6, NLT)
Monday, October 15, 2007
"I'm unworthy to serve"
What shameful things are hidden in the brain matter that stores your memories? Everyone of us has done things yesterday that make us blush today when we recall them. Sexual exploits at a college party, lies told gain a promotion, unfaithfulness to marital vows, shady decisions to maximize profits, and explosions of hurtful rage are just a few of the confessions I have heard over the years from people who say, "I want to become a ____ (fill in the blank with your vision) that makes a difference for the Lord, but I cannot because I did _____ (again fill in the blank with some sin or failure). Consider this! "Satan uses guilt...to strip you of every radical dream you ever had or might have. In their place he gives you a safe, happy, secure American life of superficial pleasures, until you die in your rocking chair." - (John Piper, CT, October, 2007) This sentence is written in the context of an article about sexual sin, but it can apply to every kind of moral failure.
Millions of people who would like to do something for God conclude that they are too stained, and thus, too unworthy, to accept the call to holy service, so they take up another 'call' - the call of success, to call to accumulate wealth, the call to seek diversions in attempts to satisfy the need for meaning and/or significance that the Lord Himself put into them to call them higher in life. Are you one of them? If so, it's time to change your perspective, from the sins of your past, to the possibility of a God-honoring life that is the will of the Lord for all of us. No one is too anything to be beyond God's forgiveness.
Paul persecuted Christians even seeking their deaths, but he became the foremost messenger of the Gospel.
David murdered a friend so he could marry the man's wife, but he became the foremost author of worship songs in the Bible.
Peter swore he did not know Jesus at the very moment his Friend was being tried, but he became the leader of the Believers in the early years of Christianity.
Not for a moment do I mean to suggest that living a holy life is unimportant for someone who wants to serve the Kingdom in this world. The Bible is amply clear that holiness of heart and mind is an absolute requirement of those who want to live intimately with the Lord and enjoy the empowerment of the Spirit! The Scripture asks, "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." (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT) The Psalm warns - "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened," (Psalm 66:18, NIV) meaning that if we love our sin, we break our intimacy with Jesus.
But know this: the remedy for sin - past, present, and future - is not found in religion, rules, or accountability groups. Each of those things might serve some good purpose, but making you and me holy is not one of them! Holiness that qualifies us for the service of God results from a spiritual transformation that comes from knowing Jesus Christ and accepting for ourselves, in faith, what He did on the Cross on our behalf! We do not get ourselves right with God! We are made right with God. "Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." (Romans 5:1, NLT) "And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory." (Romans 8:30, NLT)
Do not let the Devil tell you that you're too unworthy to answer God's call to serve. Just point that liar to the Cross. No amount of your own goodness will silence him, for he can always find a sin, a flaw to shame you. Receive the righteousness that is perfect; that of the Savior. Then, let the Lord make you holy, washing away the sins. By His strength, live a holy life, choosing to live deeply in His Presence today and everyday, by grace. The paradox of the Cross-centered life is that God's greatest glory is revealed at the point of our greatest shame! Yes, we feel sorrow when we lie, cheat, serve our ego, and indulge lust as well we should, but let it be a godly sorrow that leads to repentance. Piper finishes his thoughts with this amazing paragraph. "When you deal with (sin) by this kind of broken-hearted boldness... a gutsy guilt; you will fall less often. Why is this so? Because Christ will become increasingly precious to you. Best of all, Satan will not be able to destroy your dream of a life of radical obedience to Christ." - ibid
Here's a word from the Word. Let it inspire you today to do the will of God.
"This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen." - Paul(1 Timothy 1:15-17, NLT)
___________________________________
I will serve Thee because I love Thee,
You have given life to me;
I was nothing before You found me,
You have given life to me.
Heartaches, broken pieces,
Ruined lives are why You died on Calv'ry;
Your touch was what I longed for;
You have given life to me.
I Will Serve Thee
© 1969 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management
CCLI License No. 810055
Millions of people who would like to do something for God conclude that they are too stained, and thus, too unworthy, to accept the call to holy service, so they take up another 'call' - the call of success, to call to accumulate wealth, the call to seek diversions in attempts to satisfy the need for meaning and/or significance that the Lord Himself put into them to call them higher in life. Are you one of them? If so, it's time to change your perspective, from the sins of your past, to the possibility of a God-honoring life that is the will of the Lord for all of us. No one is too anything to be beyond God's forgiveness.
Paul persecuted Christians even seeking their deaths, but he became the foremost messenger of the Gospel.
David murdered a friend so he could marry the man's wife, but he became the foremost author of worship songs in the Bible.
Peter swore he did not know Jesus at the very moment his Friend was being tried, but he became the leader of the Believers in the early years of Christianity.
Not for a moment do I mean to suggest that living a holy life is unimportant for someone who wants to serve the Kingdom in this world. The Bible is amply clear that holiness of heart and mind is an absolute requirement of those who want to live intimately with the Lord and enjoy the empowerment of the Spirit! The Scripture asks, "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." (1 Corinthians 6:19, NLT) The Psalm warns - "If I had cherished sin in my heart, the Lord would not have listened," (Psalm 66:18, NIV) meaning that if we love our sin, we break our intimacy with Jesus.
But know this: the remedy for sin - past, present, and future - is not found in religion, rules, or accountability groups. Each of those things might serve some good purpose, but making you and me holy is not one of them! Holiness that qualifies us for the service of God results from a spiritual transformation that comes from knowing Jesus Christ and accepting for ourselves, in faith, what He did on the Cross on our behalf! We do not get ourselves right with God! We are made right with God. "Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us." (Romans 5:1, NLT) "And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory." (Romans 8:30, NLT)
Do not let the Devil tell you that you're too unworthy to answer God's call to serve. Just point that liar to the Cross. No amount of your own goodness will silence him, for he can always find a sin, a flaw to shame you. Receive the righteousness that is perfect; that of the Savior. Then, let the Lord make you holy, washing away the sins. By His strength, live a holy life, choosing to live deeply in His Presence today and everyday, by grace. The paradox of the Cross-centered life is that God's greatest glory is revealed at the point of our greatest shame! Yes, we feel sorrow when we lie, cheat, serve our ego, and indulge lust as well we should, but let it be a godly sorrow that leads to repentance. Piper finishes his thoughts with this amazing paragraph. "When you deal with (sin) by this kind of broken-hearted boldness... a gutsy guilt; you will fall less often. Why is this so? Because Christ will become increasingly precious to you. Best of all, Satan will not be able to destroy your dream of a life of radical obedience to Christ." - ibid
Here's a word from the Word. Let it inspire you today to do the will of God.
"This is a trustworthy saying, and everyone should accept it: "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners"—and I am the worst of them all. But God had mercy on me so that Christ Jesus could use me as a prime example of his great patience with even the worst sinners. Then others will realize that they, too, can believe in him and receive eternal life.
All honor and glory to God forever and ever! He is the eternal King, the unseen one who never dies; he alone is God. Amen." - Paul(1 Timothy 1:15-17, NLT)
___________________________________
I will serve Thee because I love Thee,
You have given life to me;
I was nothing before You found me,
You have given life to me.
Heartaches, broken pieces,
Ruined lives are why You died on Calv'ry;
Your touch was what I longed for;
You have given life to me.
I Will Serve Thee
© 1969 William J. Gaither, Inc. ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, October 12, 2007
"Your words, they're killing me!"
Words can be as deadly as machine gun bullets or as life-giving as a gentle springtime rain. As one who uses words constantly - teaching, preaching, writing, counseling - I should be aware of the power of what I say to build up or tear down, but I forget sometimes. I allow idle speech to trip off of my tongue without thinking how what I am saying will effect others, and sometimes live to regret what I've said. At other times I carefully frame my words knowing that with just a small adjustment in both tone and content, what I say potentially could change the course of another's life! And I am amazed at the results that God brings from words.
Think of some of the powerful uses of the gift of speech in recent history.
Martin Luther King inspired America when he stood before the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 and said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." His words moved this nation to change laws and lives!
Adolf Hitler was a captivating speaker who used words to ignite the Second World War in Europe, bringing misery, death, and destruction.
Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister of Great Britain in May, 1940 and delivered a famed speech that called that nation to war. He said, "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many months of struggle and suffering." Many credit his ability to rally the Brits as a key part of the Allied victory in that terrible time.
In 1987, Ronald Reagan stood at the Berlin Wall and challenged the Communist governments with his famous line, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" Many believe that his words, timed with world events, started a rumbling that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
Our words may not change a nation, but they may change history in the life of our child, our spouse, or our friend!
James writes of the negative impact of ungodly speech.
"Our tongues are small too, and yet they brag about big things. It takes only a spark to start a forest fire! The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person’s entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures can be tamed and have been tamed. But our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison. My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn’t right." (James 3:5-10, CEV)
So, how is the content of our speech changed so that we bless others rather than curse them? Jesus was clear about that! If we want blessed words, we must have a heart full of the Spirit of God! "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45, NKJV) It is a mistake to try to filter the poison at the exit point. Instead, we pray and discipline ourselves to experience the work of transformation of our inner person - learning to love others, to value dignity of persons, to love truth - so that our words flow like a clear mountain stream that refreshes as they wash over others.
Here's a word from the Word. May it inspire you to the best use of words today.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." (Ephesians 4:29-31, NIV)
___________________________
Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life.
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life.
Words of life and beauty,
Teach me faith and duty.
Wonderful words, beautiful words,
Wonderful words of life.
- P.P. Bliss, public domain
Think of some of the powerful uses of the gift of speech in recent history.
Martin Luther King inspired America when he stood before the Lincoln Memorial in 1963 and said, "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." His words moved this nation to change laws and lives!
Adolf Hitler was a captivating speaker who used words to ignite the Second World War in Europe, bringing misery, death, and destruction.
Winston Churchill became the Prime Minister of Great Britain in May, 1940 and delivered a famed speech that called that nation to war. He said, "I have nothing to offer but blood, toil, tears, and sweat. We have before us an ordeal of the most grievous kind. We have before us many, many months of struggle and suffering." Many credit his ability to rally the Brits as a key part of the Allied victory in that terrible time.
In 1987, Ronald Reagan stood at the Berlin Wall and challenged the Communist governments with his famous line, "Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall!" Many believe that his words, timed with world events, started a rumbling that led to the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War.
Our words may not change a nation, but they may change history in the life of our child, our spouse, or our friend!
James writes of the negative impact of ungodly speech.
"Our tongues are small too, and yet they brag about big things. It takes only a spark to start a forest fire! The tongue is like a spark. It is an evil power that dirties the rest of the body and sets a person’s entire life on fire with flames that come from hell itself. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles, and sea creatures can be tamed and have been tamed. But our tongues get out of control. They are restless and evil, and always spreading deadly poison. My dear friends, with our tongues we speak both praises and curses. We praise our Lord and Father, and we curse people who were created to be like God, and this isn’t right." (James 3:5-10, CEV)
So, how is the content of our speech changed so that we bless others rather than curse them? Jesus was clear about that! If we want blessed words, we must have a heart full of the Spirit of God! "A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks." (Luke 6:45, NKJV) It is a mistake to try to filter the poison at the exit point. Instead, we pray and discipline ourselves to experience the work of transformation of our inner person - learning to love others, to value dignity of persons, to love truth - so that our words flow like a clear mountain stream that refreshes as they wash over others.
Here's a word from the Word. May it inspire you to the best use of words today.
"Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice." (Ephesians 4:29-31, NIV)
___________________________
Sing them over again to me,
Wonderful words of life.
Let me more of their beauty see,
Wonderful words of life.
Words of life and beauty,
Teach me faith and duty.
Wonderful words, beautiful words,
Wonderful words of life.
- P.P. Bliss, public domain
Thursday, October 11, 2007
Everybody loves Barney!
Nicknames can be irritating, funny, and sometimes -- highly descriptive! A few years ago I nicknamed, Sarah, now a young lady in our church, "Eyes" when she was little, because of her big beautiful eyes that were so full of life. When I was growing up, my Dad called me "Sidekick," an old term for buddy and helper. When I was little, I loved when he introduced me to his adult friends saying, "Meet my sidekick!" It made me feel 10 feet tall! It implied that my Dad considered me his helper. Nothing was better than that. His love for me ENCOURAGED me to strive for excellence.
In the book of the Acts, we meet a man whose nickname describes a wonderful trait. Here's the verse: "...there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means "Son of Encouragement"). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus." (Acts 4:36, NLT) Joseph of Cyprus was so loving, so concerned about needs of others, that nobody called him "Joe" anymore. Instead, they called him - "Barney" - Mr. Encourager! Every Christian should love to have that nickname! Anybody can be a critic. It doesn't take much skill to point out what someone else is doing wrong. It takes a whole lot of skill to be a coach that calls for the best from another, while encouraging and motivating them.
The world is filled with critics. Everybody has an opinion about how somebody else could have done better! From the President's policies for conducting the war in Iraq to Joe Torre's coaching of the Yankees - there are people who imply that they could do the job better. They do this while comfortably avoiding responsibility, with less than one half of the facts, and none of the pressure of making leadership decisions. I always smile at the panel that comes on the TV during half-time when I watch football. Several guys - ex-players and coaches, and a commentator or two - analyze the performance of the teams on the field, while sitting in comfy chairs, in suits. Truth is, anybody can be a "Monday morning quarterback." When you're not facing the pressure on the field, it's EASY to call the right play. But it's a whole lot different when 300 lbs. of manhood is running straight at you trying desperately to tackle you or to take you out of the game.
President Theodore Roosevelt said,
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Are you an encourager that lifts those who walk with you? Or are one of the legions of critics who whine about every situation and circumstance that is not exactly to your liking?
God demands that we learn to encourage one another! "Encourage one another and build each other up." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV) Oh that we would take seriously the directive of the Word to stay connected and to look out for others, instead of attacking those that disappoint us. "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 10:25, NLT) God considers giving encouragement so important that He even made it a spiritual gift. The Bible says that if He has so gifted us, we must use the gift! "If it is encouraging, let him encourage; ..." (Romans 12:8, NIV)
Let me encourage you to look for ways to fulfill this mandate of the Word....
"Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. " (1 Thessalonians 5:13-15, The Message)
In the book of the Acts, we meet a man whose nickname describes a wonderful trait. Here's the verse: "...there was Joseph, the one the apostles nicknamed Barnabas (which means "Son of Encouragement"). He was from the tribe of Levi and came from the island of Cyprus." (Acts 4:36, NLT) Joseph of Cyprus was so loving, so concerned about needs of others, that nobody called him "Joe" anymore. Instead, they called him - "Barney" - Mr. Encourager! Every Christian should love to have that nickname! Anybody can be a critic. It doesn't take much skill to point out what someone else is doing wrong. It takes a whole lot of skill to be a coach that calls for the best from another, while encouraging and motivating them.
The world is filled with critics. Everybody has an opinion about how somebody else could have done better! From the President's policies for conducting the war in Iraq to Joe Torre's coaching of the Yankees - there are people who imply that they could do the job better. They do this while comfortably avoiding responsibility, with less than one half of the facts, and none of the pressure of making leadership decisions. I always smile at the panel that comes on the TV during half-time when I watch football. Several guys - ex-players and coaches, and a commentator or two - analyze the performance of the teams on the field, while sitting in comfy chairs, in suits. Truth is, anybody can be a "Monday morning quarterback." When you're not facing the pressure on the field, it's EASY to call the right play. But it's a whole lot different when 300 lbs. of manhood is running straight at you trying desperately to tackle you or to take you out of the game.
President Theodore Roosevelt said,
"It is not the critic who counts, not the man who points out how the strong man stumbled, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena; whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs and comes short again and again; who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, and spends himself in a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows in the end the triumph of high achievement; and who, at worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who know neither victory nor defeat."
Are you an encourager that lifts those who walk with you? Or are one of the legions of critics who whine about every situation and circumstance that is not exactly to your liking?
God demands that we learn to encourage one another! "Encourage one another and build each other up." (1 Thessalonians 5:11, NIV) Oh that we would take seriously the directive of the Word to stay connected and to look out for others, instead of attacking those that disappoint us. "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 10:25, NLT) God considers giving encouragement so important that He even made it a spiritual gift. The Bible says that if He has so gifted us, we must use the gift! "If it is encouraging, let him encourage; ..." (Romans 12:8, NIV)
Let me encourage you to look for ways to fulfill this mandate of the Word....
"Get along among yourselves, each of you doing your part. Our counsel is that you warn the freeloaders to get a move on. Gently encourage the stragglers, and reach out for the exhausted, pulling them to their feet. Be patient with each person, attentive to individual needs. And be careful that when you get on each other’s nerves you don’t snap at each other. Look for the best in each other, and always do your best to bring it out. " (1 Thessalonians 5:13-15, The Message)
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
All you need!
Something in me just snapped yesterday, mid-afternoon. Remember Peter's stroll on the Sea of Galilee, which started well, but ended when he started to sink and croaked a frightened - "Lord, save me?" That was my state of mind! I looked the responsibilities facing me - a sermon needed to be written for today's funeral, a visit with a sad and very sick lady in critical care, phone calls to make, and the people needs of the congregation- the regular stuff of my life as a Pastor- and started to think "I can't do this anymore." I told the Lord - "Maybe You should get somebody who is better equipped, with a personality more suited to do this ministry." Thankfully, I was all alone in my car for my little pity party. I felt the Lord's rebuke almost as soon as I said the words out loud. This passage came powerfully to mind, not the kind of thing just recalled, but clearly a Holy Spirit inspired occurrence- "...the Lord’s servant must not quarrel; instead, he must be kind to everyone, able to teach, not resentful. Those who oppose him he must gently instruct, in the hope that God will grant them repentance leading them to a knowledge of the truth, and that they will come to their senses and escape from the trap of the devil, who has taken them captive to do his will." (2 Timothy 2:24-26, NIV)
Then, He continued to correct me speaking to my heart - "Why are you afraid, Jerry? Your sense of failure is rooted in fear." And, then, He fell silent and left me with my thoughts.
When I got home, I picked up my laptop to check my email, and there was this amazingly on point, encouraging email from a person I haven't seen in a very long time who had no way of knowing my state of mind. It reminded me "that Jesus is your Shepherd, your Faithful Friend, your Wonderful Counselor, your Dependable Teacher.... In all things may the Lord remind you who you are and who He is." Yes, you know it. I was at first stunned, then humbled, then I asked for forgiveness!
Fear causes us to do strange, sometimes sinful, things. It made me despise the precious calling of God, for a time yesterday. I saw the task, knew my limitations - failed to account for His resources - and became a coward. I hope you have never done that. It is not a good thing and never leads to good places. But, He is faithful, even when we are faithless. God did not abandon me in my moment of self-doubt. He did challenge me with the Truth, and He loved me - through a faithful saint - with a message of His gracious gifts. Let Him do the same for you today, before you're ready to quit, to sin, to accuse Him, or to turn your back on Him.
Leighton Ford, the well-known preacher and associate of Billy Graham, suggests that when we grow fearful, we should ask ourselves some pointed questions about that fear. The exercise helps us to get back to solid ground of faith, from the sinking sand of fear. Here they are:
1. Does this fear come basically from pride, a fear that I will not live up to my own expectations or to those of others?
2. Do I remember that God has called me first to faithfulness, then to efficiency?
3. Do I trust that the Holy Spirit is working before me, with me, and through me?
4. Do I remember that I am called to be neither more nor less successful than Jesus Christ was?
5. Do I remember that God does his greatest work when I seem to be weakest? Isn’t that, after all, the mystery of the cross? -Good News is for Sharing
Whatever challenges you're facing today, God is present. He will provide all that you need, if not all that you think you need. Trust Him. Wait for Him.
Here's a word from the Word. Let the living Word fill your mind with His Presence as you meditate on the promise.
"God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God." (2 Corinthians 9:8-12, NKJV)
________________________
Sometimes I feel discouraged,
And think my life in vain.
I'm tempted then to murmur,
And of my lot complain.
But when I think of Jesus,
And all He's done for me,
Then I cry, "O Rock of Ages,Hide Thou me."
O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.
No other refuge have I but Thee.
When life's dark vale I wander,
Far, far from Thee.
Then I cry,"O Rock of Ages,Hide Thou me."
Sometimes it seems I dare not,
Go one step farther on.
And from my heart all courage
Has slipped away and gone.
But I remember Jesus,
And all His love for me.
Then I cry,"O Rock of AgesHide Thou me."
Hide Thou MeHarris, Thoro / Tolbert, L.R.© 1926.
Renewed 1953 Singspiration Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055
Then, He continued to correct me speaking to my heart - "Why are you afraid, Jerry? Your sense of failure is rooted in fear." And, then, He fell silent and left me with my thoughts.
When I got home, I picked up my laptop to check my email, and there was this amazingly on point, encouraging email from a person I haven't seen in a very long time who had no way of knowing my state of mind. It reminded me "that Jesus is your Shepherd, your Faithful Friend, your Wonderful Counselor, your Dependable Teacher.... In all things may the Lord remind you who you are and who He is." Yes, you know it. I was at first stunned, then humbled, then I asked for forgiveness!
Fear causes us to do strange, sometimes sinful, things. It made me despise the precious calling of God, for a time yesterday. I saw the task, knew my limitations - failed to account for His resources - and became a coward. I hope you have never done that. It is not a good thing and never leads to good places. But, He is faithful, even when we are faithless. God did not abandon me in my moment of self-doubt. He did challenge me with the Truth, and He loved me - through a faithful saint - with a message of His gracious gifts. Let Him do the same for you today, before you're ready to quit, to sin, to accuse Him, or to turn your back on Him.
Leighton Ford, the well-known preacher and associate of Billy Graham, suggests that when we grow fearful, we should ask ourselves some pointed questions about that fear. The exercise helps us to get back to solid ground of faith, from the sinking sand of fear. Here they are:
1. Does this fear come basically from pride, a fear that I will not live up to my own expectations or to those of others?
2. Do I remember that God has called me first to faithfulness, then to efficiency?
3. Do I trust that the Holy Spirit is working before me, with me, and through me?
4. Do I remember that I am called to be neither more nor less successful than Jesus Christ was?
5. Do I remember that God does his greatest work when I seem to be weakest? Isn’t that, after all, the mystery of the cross? -Good News is for Sharing
Whatever challenges you're facing today, God is present. He will provide all that you need, if not all that you think you need. Trust Him. Wait for Him.
Here's a word from the Word. Let the living Word fill your mind with His Presence as you meditate on the promise.
"God is able to make all grace abound toward you, that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may have an abundance for every good work. As it is written: "He has dispersed abroad, He has given to the poor; His righteousness endures forever." Now may He who supplies seed to the sower, and bread for food, supply and multiply the seed you have sown and increase the fruits of your righteousness, while you are enriched in everything for all liberality, which causes thanksgiving through us to God. For the administration of this service not only supplies the needs of the saints, but also is abounding through many thanksgivings to God." (2 Corinthians 9:8-12, NKJV)
________________________
Sometimes I feel discouraged,
And think my life in vain.
I'm tempted then to murmur,
And of my lot complain.
But when I think of Jesus,
And all He's done for me,
Then I cry, "O Rock of Ages,Hide Thou me."
O Rock of Ages, hide Thou me.
No other refuge have I but Thee.
When life's dark vale I wander,
Far, far from Thee.
Then I cry,"O Rock of Ages,Hide Thou me."
Sometimes it seems I dare not,
Go one step farther on.
And from my heart all courage
Has slipped away and gone.
But I remember Jesus,
And all His love for me.
Then I cry,"O Rock of AgesHide Thou me."
Hide Thou MeHarris, Thoro / Tolbert, L.R.© 1926.
Renewed 1953 Singspiration Music (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, October 09, 2007
The view from the heights
Andy Stanley, in his book, Visioneering, writes that 'the difference between filling bags with dirt and building a dike to save a town is found in vision.' He goes on to say, "There's nothing glamorous or fulfilling about filling bags with dirt. But, saving a city is another thing altogether." Building a dike that will save a city gives meaning to the ordinary chore of filling bags. Much of what we do in life is the stuff of filling bags with dirt unless we see the bigger picture.
Each week I pace myself through boring routines of tending to church business and doing the invisible chores that maintain the organization. Most of the time I do those things gladly because they support the vision God gave me to build a community of people who make a noticeable difference in our corner of the world! On those days that I lose sight of the bigger mission, (and there are those days) the tedium can become overwhelming. Then I realize I need to climb higher to catch another glimpse of that glorious Church that my Lord Jesus will find worthy of His love and commendation. Call me grandiose, but I believe that the only hope for this world is the Gospel of Jesus Christ; a message that transforms people into amazing saints, infuses life with purpose and meaning, and gives hope for an Eternal Home of Rest. Nothing in the world is the equal of the message that declares: "God loves you, gave His Son to save you, prepared a mission for you, and has a home waiting for you." That is the vision that sustains me!
This past Sunday I made an announcement from the pulpit recruiting volunteers for the Girls Ministry at our church. Even as the words were coming out of my mouth I wondered if the vision was written large enough to be compelling! If women hearing that announcement thought they were just helping to keep a program that entertains little girls alive, who among them would be willing to give 2 hours each Wednesday evening? Adding a responsibility to their all ready busy lives would not be all that inviting! They would not want to give up several Saturdays to take girls to sleep-overs, retreats, and conventions just to help their Prims or Daisies earn some badges and awards. However, if they understood that they were involved with a team that is shaping young girls' view of the world, equipping them with an understanding of God's ways, and modeling the path of discipleship that will lead those girls to their own experience with Jesus - the time given becomes an investment, the sacrifice will worth it's cost!
Friend, do you know the 'why' behind the 'what' in your life? Is there a greater God-given vision that draws you to love God with devotion, that gives your service in the church meaning, that causes you to love your spouse, that keeps you connected to your kids, that gives you a reason to say 'no' to temptations and 'yes' to the Lord?
Some of you are thinking, "Yeah, Jerry, I've heard this hype before. My 'vision' is just to keep making some money to pay the bills to make it through today." I do understand. There are days, too many really, when I'm in the same place. On many days I just feel like the guy in that 1990's Dunkin' Donuts commercial who was up all night just because it was '... time to make the donuts!' In the middle of the grind of life, by faith I seize the proclamation of the Word that "we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT) God is purposeful. God is concerned about you and able to use you - but you must make yourself available and let Him mature the vision in you.
Today, take some time to present yourself to Him, again. Borrow the prayer that little Samuel prayed in the dark when the voice of the Lord echoed through his heart - "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:9, NIV) When he prayed, God showed him a plan and then the boy worked and waited faithfully on that plan for years - in the process becoming a key person in Israel. Invite Him to speak, then wait for the answer.
Here's a word from the Word for you today.
"Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie.
If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time. "Look at that man, bloated by self-importance— full of himself but soul-empty. But the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive. " (Habakkuk 2:2-4, The Message)
_______________________
I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I'm onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven's table-land,
A higher plane than I have found:
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I'll pray, 'til heaven I've found
"Lord, lead me on to higher ground."
Higher Ground - Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Public Domain
Each week I pace myself through boring routines of tending to church business and doing the invisible chores that maintain the organization. Most of the time I do those things gladly because they support the vision God gave me to build a community of people who make a noticeable difference in our corner of the world! On those days that I lose sight of the bigger mission, (and there are those days) the tedium can become overwhelming. Then I realize I need to climb higher to catch another glimpse of that glorious Church that my Lord Jesus will find worthy of His love and commendation. Call me grandiose, but I believe that the only hope for this world is the Gospel of Jesus Christ; a message that transforms people into amazing saints, infuses life with purpose and meaning, and gives hope for an Eternal Home of Rest. Nothing in the world is the equal of the message that declares: "God loves you, gave His Son to save you, prepared a mission for you, and has a home waiting for you." That is the vision that sustains me!
This past Sunday I made an announcement from the pulpit recruiting volunteers for the Girls Ministry at our church. Even as the words were coming out of my mouth I wondered if the vision was written large enough to be compelling! If women hearing that announcement thought they were just helping to keep a program that entertains little girls alive, who among them would be willing to give 2 hours each Wednesday evening? Adding a responsibility to their all ready busy lives would not be all that inviting! They would not want to give up several Saturdays to take girls to sleep-overs, retreats, and conventions just to help their Prims or Daisies earn some badges and awards. However, if they understood that they were involved with a team that is shaping young girls' view of the world, equipping them with an understanding of God's ways, and modeling the path of discipleship that will lead those girls to their own experience with Jesus - the time given becomes an investment, the sacrifice will worth it's cost!
Friend, do you know the 'why' behind the 'what' in your life? Is there a greater God-given vision that draws you to love God with devotion, that gives your service in the church meaning, that causes you to love your spouse, that keeps you connected to your kids, that gives you a reason to say 'no' to temptations and 'yes' to the Lord?
Some of you are thinking, "Yeah, Jerry, I've heard this hype before. My 'vision' is just to keep making some money to pay the bills to make it through today." I do understand. There are days, too many really, when I'm in the same place. On many days I just feel like the guy in that 1990's Dunkin' Donuts commercial who was up all night just because it was '... time to make the donuts!' In the middle of the grind of life, by faith I seize the proclamation of the Word that "we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago." (Ephesians 2:10, NLT) God is purposeful. God is concerned about you and able to use you - but you must make yourself available and let Him mature the vision in you.
Today, take some time to present yourself to Him, again. Borrow the prayer that little Samuel prayed in the dark when the voice of the Lord echoed through his heart - "Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening." (1 Samuel 3:9, NIV) When he prayed, God showed him a plan and then the boy worked and waited faithfully on that plan for years - in the process becoming a key person in Israel. Invite Him to speak, then wait for the answer.
Here's a word from the Word for you today.
"Write this. Write what you see. Write it out in big block letters so that it can be read on the run. This vision-message is a witness pointing to what’s coming. It aches for the coming—it can hardly wait! And it doesn’t lie.
If it seems slow in coming, wait. It’s on its way. It will come right on time. "Look at that man, bloated by self-importance— full of himself but soul-empty. But the person in right standing before God through loyal and steady believing is fully alive, really alive. " (Habakkuk 2:2-4, The Message)
_______________________
I'm pressing on the upward way,
New heights I'm gaining every day;
Still praying as I'm onward bound,
"Lord, plant my feet on higher ground."
Lord, lift me up and let me stand
By faith on heaven's table-land,
A higher plane than I have found:
Lord, plant my feet on higher ground.
I want to scale the utmost height
And catch a gleam of glory bright;
But still I'll pray, 'til heaven I've found
"Lord, lead me on to higher ground."
Higher Ground - Johnson Oatman, Jr.
Public Domain
Friday, October 05, 2007
Create some joy!
Everyday this week I've arrived at my office to find a small gift waiting with an encouraging note attached. They're not expensive gifts. In fact yesterday's gift was just a rubber band in a bag. On the bag was written, "Thanks for stretching us with the truth of the Word, but not so far that we break!" It was a welcome positive note in a week when I have also had to deal with my share of critics and complainers. My prayer is that the act of giving brings as much joy to the giver as it does to me. Are you an encourager? Does your presence warm up the room or bring a chill? It really isn't all that hard to improve the emotional temperature of your home or workplace, but it does require some thought, a lot of forgetting about yourself, and some ability to sense the needs of those around you. The person who left the Almond Joy candy, the rubber band, and the notes.... made those little things mean a lot because she (yeah, I figured out who she is!) takes the time to give them a context of encouragement.
I cannot tell you how many times just the simple act of looking someone in the eye and asking, "So how are you really doing today?" has led to a meaningful conversation and provided me with the opportunity to encourage somebody. It's a mean world overall, where many of us are bruised by those do not think of us as 'real people,' but just as a functionary who provides a service. That waiter is not just a robot carrying plates of food to our table, she is a person with real problems. The boss is not just a person who writes memos, he is a man dealing with life. If we see those with whom we interact as real people instead of just somebody doing a job, we will allow for more humanity to come into our day to day lives.
Remember that movie, "Pay It Forward."? It is a story about a young boy who wants to change the world. His plan? Do what he can for those who are close to him to encourage them to succeed. When they attempt to pay him for his service, he asks only that they 'pay it forward.' The concept is simple. Be kind to someone, giving them the gift of joy. Accept no payment except the promise that they will, in turn, do the same for someone else. Cynics say it is silly and childish. I think differently. None of us can change the world, but we can bless those we will meet today with our words, our kindness, and an investment in their joy.
So, will you? Make it your mission today to create some joy!
"For this is the original message we heard: We should love each other. ... This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear." (1 John 3: 11, 16-17, The Message)
I cannot tell you how many times just the simple act of looking someone in the eye and asking, "So how are you really doing today?" has led to a meaningful conversation and provided me with the opportunity to encourage somebody. It's a mean world overall, where many of us are bruised by those do not think of us as 'real people,' but just as a functionary who provides a service. That waiter is not just a robot carrying plates of food to our table, she is a person with real problems. The boss is not just a person who writes memos, he is a man dealing with life. If we see those with whom we interact as real people instead of just somebody doing a job, we will allow for more humanity to come into our day to day lives.
Remember that movie, "Pay It Forward."? It is a story about a young boy who wants to change the world. His plan? Do what he can for those who are close to him to encourage them to succeed. When they attempt to pay him for his service, he asks only that they 'pay it forward.' The concept is simple. Be kind to someone, giving them the gift of joy. Accept no payment except the promise that they will, in turn, do the same for someone else. Cynics say it is silly and childish. I think differently. None of us can change the world, but we can bless those we will meet today with our words, our kindness, and an investment in their joy.
So, will you? Make it your mission today to create some joy!
"For this is the original message we heard: We should love each other. ... This is how we’ve come to understand and experience love: Christ sacrificed his life for us. This is why we ought to live sacrificially for our fellow believers, and not just be out for ourselves. If you see some brother or sister in need and have the means to do something about it but turn a cold shoulder and do nothing, what happens to God’s love? It disappears. And you made it disappear." (1 John 3: 11, 16-17, The Message)
Thursday, October 04, 2007
"Lord, I'd rather do it my way."
There is the right way, the wrong way; and then there is - my way! I took the 'my way' route yesterday when one of our laser printers went on the blink and I decided that I could fix it 'in just a few minutes.' Two hours later, and after much frustration, I had accomplished nothing except taking it all apart and putting it back together; a total exercise in futility. No, I didn't have a instruction manual, nor did I really know what I was doing. I just thought I could do it. No real damage was done by my little exercise in over-confidence in that instance, but the same cannot be said for many of our excursions into the land of pride. It is painful to admit that I often decide that I know the best way despite advice from those more experienced, that I have the right to choose my own way regardless of what it might cost others, or that I can ignore God's way and not pay the consequences. What makes a person do these things? Pride!
The preacher, Jonah, was told by the Lord, "Go and tell Nineveh that my judgment is coming!" Pridefully, Jonah took off in the other direction, literally! Instead of going northeast, overland; he went southwest, by ship. In the last chapter of the book, after he finally obeyed God and saw a revival come on the pagan city, he reveals his prideful mindset that caused him to rebel against the Lord. "God saw what they had done, that they had turned away from their evil lives. He did change his mind about them. What he said he would do to them he didn’t do. Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God, "God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That’s why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!" (Jonah 3:10-4:2, The Message)
Jonah wanted the Assyrians destroyed! His desire was contrary to God's purposes so he pridefully decided that he could ignore the Lord and go his own way. Some say he did what he did from fear, but the text focuses on Jonah's willfulness and selfishness. When the Lord sent a storm on the ship he was traveling on as he fled from God's will, Jonah didn't help to save it. He found a corner in the hold and tried to sleep through the storm. When God did not judge the pagan city, Jonah sulked! When a worm ate the plant that gave him shade, Jonah was so provoked at his discomfort that he asked to die!
Humility always focuses on obedience; pride looks for outcomes.
Humility says, "yes, Lord," without regard for personal preference; pride asks, "why do I have to do this, Lord?"
Humility seeks the best for all; pride works to assure the best for me!
There's a spiritual principle that accompanies the expression of pride. The more a person seeks his own way, the less joy he finds! The lie that draws us to follow the way of pride is this: "If I achieve a life that feeds my needs, I'll be happy!" But, it never works out that way. We can go all the way back to Genesis 3, to the prideful decision of Adam and Eve to do what they wanted instead of what God commanded to see the results of rejected the right way in favor of 'our way.'
Paul says that pride leads to spiritual shipwreck! He urged Pastor Timothy to "Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked." (1 Timothy 1:19, NLT)
Pride is subtle sin. It dresses itself up in 'righteous' concern that causes us to become critics of others, in 'self-preservation' that causes us to discard the plain teaching of the Word, in 'bringing revival to this church' that causes us to sow disunity .... and hundreds of other disguises. Strip away all the excuses, the reasons, the rationalizations - and pride is simply this: "I'd rather do it my way!" Don't give into the lie. Choose God's way, for it is always the best way. Obedience today will bring blessings tomorrow. Pray for faith to believe that, then let pride die.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today. "Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, The Message)
The preacher, Jonah, was told by the Lord, "Go and tell Nineveh that my judgment is coming!" Pridefully, Jonah took off in the other direction, literally! Instead of going northeast, overland; he went southwest, by ship. In the last chapter of the book, after he finally obeyed God and saw a revival come on the pagan city, he reveals his prideful mindset that caused him to rebel against the Lord. "God saw what they had done, that they had turned away from their evil lives. He did change his mind about them. What he said he would do to them he didn’t do. Jonah was furious. He lost his temper. He yelled at God, "God! I knew it—when I was back home, I knew this was going to happen! That’s why I ran off to Tarshish! I knew you were sheer grace and mercy, not easily angered, rich in love, and ready at the drop of a hat to turn your plans of punishment into a program of forgiveness!" (Jonah 3:10-4:2, The Message)
Jonah wanted the Assyrians destroyed! His desire was contrary to God's purposes so he pridefully decided that he could ignore the Lord and go his own way. Some say he did what he did from fear, but the text focuses on Jonah's willfulness and selfishness. When the Lord sent a storm on the ship he was traveling on as he fled from God's will, Jonah didn't help to save it. He found a corner in the hold and tried to sleep through the storm. When God did not judge the pagan city, Jonah sulked! When a worm ate the plant that gave him shade, Jonah was so provoked at his discomfort that he asked to die!
Humility always focuses on obedience; pride looks for outcomes.
Humility says, "yes, Lord," without regard for personal preference; pride asks, "why do I have to do this, Lord?"
Humility seeks the best for all; pride works to assure the best for me!
There's a spiritual principle that accompanies the expression of pride. The more a person seeks his own way, the less joy he finds! The lie that draws us to follow the way of pride is this: "If I achieve a life that feeds my needs, I'll be happy!" But, it never works out that way. We can go all the way back to Genesis 3, to the prideful decision of Adam and Eve to do what they wanted instead of what God commanded to see the results of rejected the right way in favor of 'our way.'
Paul says that pride leads to spiritual shipwreck! He urged Pastor Timothy to "Cling to your faith in Christ, and keep your conscience clear. For some people have deliberately violated their consciences; as a result, their faith has been shipwrecked." (1 Timothy 1:19, NLT)
Pride is subtle sin. It dresses itself up in 'righteous' concern that causes us to become critics of others, in 'self-preservation' that causes us to discard the plain teaching of the Word, in 'bringing revival to this church' that causes us to sow disunity .... and hundreds of other disguises. Strip away all the excuses, the reasons, the rationalizations - and pride is simply this: "I'd rather do it my way!" Don't give into the lie. Choose God's way, for it is always the best way. Obedience today will bring blessings tomorrow. Pray for faith to believe that, then let pride die.
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today. "Christ’s life showed me how, and enabled me to do it. I identified myself completely with him. Indeed, I have been crucified with Christ. My ego is no longer central. It is no longer important that I appear righteous before you or have your good opinion, and I am no longer driven to impress God. Christ lives in me. The life you see me living is not "mine," but it is lived by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me." (Galatians 2:20, The Message)
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