"I feel so unworthy. Can I really be sure of Heaven?" The lady was near tears as she asked the question. Her previous religious tradition was rooted in good works and acts of penance. Though she has trusted Christ for salvation, the old influences continue to dog her so that when she is less than perfect she feels the fear! She is not the only one that feels that way, is she? Too often, we turn our gaze from Christ to self, and in the process lose the assurance we need to walk with Him in this world that is filled with sin and fear.
You do not have to be perfect to be perfectly loved! That is the marvel of grace, the wonder of our Christianity, based on the Cross and the mercy of God. The Text declares - God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners. (Romans 5:8, NLT) Let that thought sink in. At His own initiative, at His own expense, God reached out to love those who were actively offending Him. If that is how He loved us when we still His enemy, should we not accept His love now that we are reaching out for Him, even imperfectly? John declares that 'perfect love drives out all fear.' The perfect love to which he alludes is not coming from us. It is God's love. 'We love,' he says, 'because God first loved us.'
Perhaps you are not dogged by guilt and/or shame, but many of us are. We conclude that in order to find approval and/or acceptance from others we need to do 'right' things. As little children, we observe that teachers like those students who never step out of line and who work hard to create neat papers. That looks like love, so we try to be good and get those A's! We learn that employers generally like employees that answer the call and go beyond the call of duty, so we show up a little early and stay late to secure our job. Conditional 'love' is all around us.
We drag that same sense of 'doing better to earn love' into our relationship with God, thinking that he's like our parent, our teacher, or our boss. He is not. His love is based in Himself, not in us. That's the wonder of grace as presented by the New Testament.
Paul writes about it to the Believers in Galatia. They had accepted the message of the Cross by faith, but quickly returned to religious duties and rituals as a means of experiencing God's love. Paul's pastoral heart was broken for he knew no one could do enough good things to earn God's favor. He had spent the first two decades of his life trying and then was found by the true love of Christ. He continued in the love of Christ, perfectly loved, though yet imperfect. Take a look at what he says to them ---
"Have some of you noticed that we are not yet perfect? (No great surprise, right?) ....
What actually took place is this: I tried keeping rules and working my head off to please God, and it didn’t work. So I quit being a “law man” so that I could be God’s man. 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 2:17-20, The Message)
You are secure -- IN HIS LOVE -- so stay focused there.When you sin, and we all do, kneel at the Cross. Confess your failure, receive His grace, and grow on in grace.
Wonderful Cross --This arrangement -- Chris Tomlin
When I survey the wondrous cross,
On which the prince of glory died!
My richest gain I count but loss
And pour contempt on all my pride.
See, from His head, His hands, His feet,
Sorrow and love flow mingled down;
Did e'er such love and sorrow meet,
Or thorns compose so rich a crown.
Oh the wonderful cross, oh the wonderful cross,
Bids me come and die and find that I may truly live!
Oh the wonderful cross, oh, the wonderful cross,
All who gather here, by grace draw near, and bless your name-
Were the whole realm of nature mine,
That were a present far too small,
Love so amazing, so divine,
Demands my souls, my life, my all.
________________________
This Lord's Day I will be continuing our exploration of prayer.
I hope you are able to be in worship.
For our schedule of services and access to the church's weekly bulletin, please visit
www.WashingtonAG.net/service.htm
Friday, February 11, 2005
Thursday, February 10, 2005
Let Go, Let God
A subtle conceit creeps into our thinking when we start working with God to build His kingdom in this world- no matter what kind of service we perform. As soon as we feel even a little bit competent, we start to believe that it is our performance that produces results. Often without even realizing it, we shift our focus from 'I help God get His work done,' to 'God helps me get my work done.' If those sound like the same thing to you, I'd really encourage you to re-examine your whole approach to life!
Ben Patterson, pastor, has mentored me with his writing over the years, sharing authentically and transparently, his journey of faith and ministry. He recounts an incident from his life when his conceit was revealed to him.
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Ben Patterson, pastor, has mentored me with his writing over the years, sharing authentically and transparently, his journey of faith and ministry. He recounts an incident from his life when his conceit was revealed to him.
- "For 6 weeks I was totally out of commission. During that time I crossed a frontier in my prayer life... toward the end of my convalescence, I had a conversation with the Lord that went something like this: 'These times of prayer have been sweet. I've actually had time to pray for every single person in this congregation, every day. It's too bad I won't have time to do this when I get back to work.'
The Lord's reply was quick and blunt. 'Stupid, you have the same 24 hours when you're well as when you are sick. The trouble with you, Ben, is that when you're well, you think you're in charge; when you're sick you know you're not.' " - Leadership, Winter, 2005
When I read that, it hit me like a punch in the gut! How often am I burnt out, disgusted, ill-tempered - not because God asks too much of me, but because I don't ask enough of Him! I come to believe that I am competent, in charge, and getting the work done. I, I, I -- Pride takes over and when pride governs, all kinds of ugly things happen to me, in me, and around me. Failing to seek God's ability, I become frustrated by my inabilities; yet, the Word reminds me of His sufficiency! In Psalm 127:1-2, I read:
Unless the Lord builds the house,
They labor in vain who build it;
Unless the Lord guards the city,
The watchman stays awake in vain.
It is vain for you to rise up early,
To sit up late, To eat the bread of sorrows;
For so He gives His beloved sleep. ( NKJV)
We need to know this: What ever callings and gifts we may have, they are of little use and less effect apart from the grace and power of God!
God called Moses, a failed prince and fugitive murderer, while he was living in exile, tending a flock of sheep. The LORD told him to go back to Egypt and to prepare the people to return to the Promised Land. It was a tough assignment!
- How would he inspire a people enslaved by a powerful nation to leave behind the lives they had formed for centuries in the land of Egypt? Creating a new vision for a nation is a daunting challenge!
- How would he get the Pharaoh to let the people go? There is no 'up side' for the king, no earthly reason for him to release his work force!
Moses demurs at first, but then relinquishes himself to the will of God, asking a question that intrigues me: "Who should I tell these people has sent me? What's your Name?" The LORD reveals His majesty saying, “I AM WHO I AM.” And He said, “Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, ‘I AM has sent me to you.’ (Exodus 3:14, NKJV) The Self-Existent One, The One Without First Cause, commissioned Moses.
Today, friend, we are in the service of the great 'I AM.' We must not forget that. Oh, yes, He asks much of us; our very lives! He requires that we use the gifts He's given to us diligently, and that we press on to do His work and His will. BUT, He doesn't not leave us without resources, orphaned, or desperate. Jesus promised to be with us, by the Spirit, "day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:20, The Message)
How are you responding to God's call for your life, in your home, at your church, in your place of work? Are you trying to get Him to help you do your work, OR are you letting go of control and putting yourself at His disposal to do His work? The latter will lead to a sense of accomplishment and, in eternity, to a crown awaiting the faithful!
__________________________
Oh Lord You're Beautiful-- Green, Keith
Your face is all I seek,
For when Your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me.
Oh Lord, please light the fire,
That once burned bright and clear.
Replace the lamp of my first love,
That burns with holy fear.
I wanna take Your Word
And shine it all around.
First help me just to live it, Lord!
And when I'm doing well,
Help me to never seek a crown,
For my reward is giving glory to You.
© 1980 Birdwing Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) / BMG Songs, Inc. (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) CCLI License No. 810055
Wednesday, February 09, 2005
The Word Effect
Sam (not his real name) is a man with a sin problem who wants to be free! I've met with Sam several times and realize that nothing short of the power of the Spirit and the Word can break the chains. He has good intentions, strong desire, and yet... recently he called me in the middle of the night after a relapse, but this time he was different. He wasn't making excuses for his actions. Instead, he recognized that he had broken God's heart and he acknowledged his real need of forgiveness. He was under the effect of the Word! (Please pray for him, won't you? God knows who he is even though I must use a pseudonym in this TFTD!)
The Psalmist asks - How can a young man keep his way pure? Then, he answers - By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees." (Psalm 119:9-12, NIV)
Does the Word shape your thoughts, your values, your actions?
I cannot over-emphasize the power that the Bible has to transform our ways of thinking! The Bible, when read often and with prayer for understanding from the Holy Spirit, reaches deep into our thought processes and changes us- inside out. I'm not talking about the kind of foolishness that causes people to seize a single verse out of context to justify an action they wish to take. That's called 'proof texting!' Nor am I referring to studying the Bible with a purely literary point of view. though careful, thoughtful study of the historical context and literary forms of the text can be enlightening. One does not have to be an intellectual, nor does a person have to have a degree in ancient Semitic languages, to read the Scripture with understanding. To be transformed by the Word effect, we come with open heart, a willingness to 'hear what the Spirit is saying' as we read. Yes, there is a necessary place for scholarly study, for comparing our interpretation of passages with the understandings of others. And yet, we must not come to believe that the Bible is beyond our ability to read and comprehend.
Each morning, I open the Word to read a passage (sometimes only a verse, other times a whole story, or entire book). Through the course of the day, I find my mind returning to what I've read; reflecting on it, inquiring about the way that it is informing my choices, drawing on the lessons and principles. Admittedly some passages yield more diamonds than others! For sure! The Scripture shapes my worldview, corrects my thoughts; yes, is the arbiter that makes the call when I am faced with two roads from which to choose.
Strangely enough, it is a blessing that keeps many Believers from the Scripture. That blessing is the plethora of Christian books available. Many read much about the Bible, yet they never just read the Bible itself. They think that reading another's interaction with the Word is enough. Then, too, some think that hearing a sermon from the Word (Oh, God help us to fill our pulpits with the Word!) is enough. These are grave errors. Having help to understand what is written in the sacred Text is a blessing, but everyone of us needs to interact with the Word ourselves when possible.
Dr. Timothy Johnson in his book, Finding God In The Questions, relates how he was looking for Jesus Christ, even though he had been a Christian Believer for years. He went back to reading the Gospels carefully and found that the Jesus he discovered again in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John was a Man far removed from the pictures and concepts presented in books and sermons. He found a new wonder over the "surprising teachings" of Jesus.
Believer, get yourself into the Scripture! (That might be better phrased, 'get the Scripture into you.') Make reading of the Bible text itself a daily practice. Don't be discouraged if you don't find a sparkling gem of new understanding on the first day. Don't try to read too much. Don't go for the hard passages first. Instead, pray for the Spirit to be at work, and then sit down to read.
If you're new to the Word, start with Luke's story of Jesus' ministry.
Break away some mornings to read a Psalm, aloud, if possible.
Get a modern translation (or two) of the Scripture: one like the New International Version or the New Living Translation, so you don't have to try to overcome the language barriers.
When you read a passage that defies a ready understanding or application, allow for some ambiguity! After all the Bible is not a textbook, it is a revelation of the Almighty, Eternal God!
The Psalmist asks - How can a young man keep his way pure? Then, he answers - By living according to your word. I seek you with all my heart; do not let me stray from your commands. I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you. Praise be to you, O LORD; teach me your decrees." (Psalm 119:9-12, NIV)
Does the Word shape your thoughts, your values, your actions?
I cannot over-emphasize the power that the Bible has to transform our ways of thinking! The Bible, when read often and with prayer for understanding from the Holy Spirit, reaches deep into our thought processes and changes us- inside out. I'm not talking about the kind of foolishness that causes people to seize a single verse out of context to justify an action they wish to take. That's called 'proof texting!' Nor am I referring to studying the Bible with a purely literary point of view. though careful, thoughtful study of the historical context and literary forms of the text can be enlightening. One does not have to be an intellectual, nor does a person have to have a degree in ancient Semitic languages, to read the Scripture with understanding. To be transformed by the Word effect, we come with open heart, a willingness to 'hear what the Spirit is saying' as we read. Yes, there is a necessary place for scholarly study, for comparing our interpretation of passages with the understandings of others. And yet, we must not come to believe that the Bible is beyond our ability to read and comprehend.
Each morning, I open the Word to read a passage (sometimes only a verse, other times a whole story, or entire book). Through the course of the day, I find my mind returning to what I've read; reflecting on it, inquiring about the way that it is informing my choices, drawing on the lessons and principles. Admittedly some passages yield more diamonds than others! For sure! The Scripture shapes my worldview, corrects my thoughts; yes, is the arbiter that makes the call when I am faced with two roads from which to choose.
Strangely enough, it is a blessing that keeps many Believers from the Scripture. That blessing is the plethora of Christian books available. Many read much about the Bible, yet they never just read the Bible itself. They think that reading another's interaction with the Word is enough. Then, too, some think that hearing a sermon from the Word (Oh, God help us to fill our pulpits with the Word!) is enough. These are grave errors. Having help to understand what is written in the sacred Text is a blessing, but everyone of us needs to interact with the Word ourselves when possible.
Dr. Timothy Johnson in his book, Finding God In The Questions, relates how he was looking for Jesus Christ, even though he had been a Christian Believer for years. He went back to reading the Gospels carefully and found that the Jesus he discovered again in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John was a Man far removed from the pictures and concepts presented in books and sermons. He found a new wonder over the "surprising teachings" of Jesus.
Believer, get yourself into the Scripture! (That might be better phrased, 'get the Scripture into you.') Make reading of the Bible text itself a daily practice. Don't be discouraged if you don't find a sparkling gem of new understanding on the first day. Don't try to read too much. Don't go for the hard passages first. Instead, pray for the Spirit to be at work, and then sit down to read.
If you're new to the Word, start with Luke's story of Jesus' ministry.
Break away some mornings to read a Psalm, aloud, if possible.
Get a modern translation (or two) of the Scripture: one like the New International Version or the New Living Translation, so you don't have to try to overcome the language barriers.
When you read a passage that defies a ready understanding or application, allow for some ambiguity! After all the Bible is not a textbook, it is a revelation of the Almighty, Eternal God!
- There’s nothing like the written Word of God for showing you the way to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.
Every part of Scripture is God-breathed and useful one way or another
—showing us truth,
exposing our rebellion,
correcting our mistakes,
training us to live God’s way.
Through the Word we are put together and shaped up for the tasks God has for us. (2 Timothy 3:15-17, The Message)
May you come under the Word effect, transformed by the wisdom and wonder of the Scriptures!
____________________
How firm a foundation, Ye saints of the Lord,
Is laid for your faith In His excellent word!
What more can He say than to you He hath said,
To you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
Fear not; I am with thee. O be not dismayed,
For I am thy God, I will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, And cause thee to stand,
Upheld by My gracious, Omnipotent hand.
The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose,
I will not, I will not desert to its foes;
That soul, though all hell Should endeavor to shake,
I'll never, no never, no never forsake.
HOW FIRM A FOUNDATION © Public Domain CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, February 08, 2005
Compelling Faith
Real faith is not cheap, nor is it simple, nor is it easy! The Bible says, Now faith is assurance of things hoped for, a conviction of things not seen. (Hebrews 11:1, ASV) Faith, according to Hebrews 11, is how we take possession of eternal life while we yet live in this present world. All around us we see death, physical and spiritual, but by faith we understand that there is more, a reason to transcend the sensual, greedy, lustful, materialistic way of life that the faithless lead. Does such a transforming faith come easily to us? No. Should it? I think not.
Dr. Timothy Johnson (ABC News Medical Editor and pastor) in his best-selling book, Finding God In The Questions, tells about the many skeptics who wonder if there is a God, why He does not make His existence more plain. Woody Allen jokes, "If only God would give me some clear sign, like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank account!" Somewhat irreverent, but which of us has not, at one time or another, wished for God to make Himself plainly known? Johnson suggests that were God to speak in a voice we could plainly discern, He would destroy the gift of our will, for we would be overwhelmed into passive submission. He longs for us to choose to seek Him, by faith, and to love Him without terror.
Johnson re-tells Kierkegaard's parable of a king who falls in love with a peasant girl. He wonders how to make his love known to her without ruining her ability to freely love him in return. He does not want to simply order her to love him though he could. If he gives her liberal gifts befitting his royal status, he can never know if she loves him or just his gifts. So, he decides to assume the guise of a peasant to woo her. This is the story of God! He loves us, leaving us many evidences of that love, but His great act of demonstrated love was in the Incarnation, when He became a man and lived among us.
We read the Bible's revelation, observe the evidence of Creation, sense the Spirit at work and 'seeing' that He exists, we choose to love Him by faith! Like any love relationship, loving God is complicated. We bring expectations that are unrealistic to our love for Him. We misunderstand Him. We try His love when our affections wander to lesser loves- YET, even if we are faithless, it does not destroy His love! The Scripture calls us to understand the greatness of knowing Him saying: This is a sure thing:
If we die with him, we’ll live with him; If we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him; If we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us; If we give up on him, he does not give up— for there’s no way he can be false to himself. (2 Timothy 2:11-13, The Message)
One of the mistaken ideas about faith is that it will eliminate the difficulties, answer all the questions. That is not true. The truth is that the deeper our faith, the more profound our questions will be! The more of God we see, the more we begin to know that there is so much more to understand. The greater our love for Him, the more He asks of us in return. That is why the Word reminds us that "it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." (Hebrews 11:6, NLT)
Go deeper, Believer. Press past the shallow faith that is focused on today's bread, on comfortable circumstances. By faith, ask the King to draw you into His embrace so that you will know Him, serve Him, love Him to eternity.
Dr. Timothy Johnson (ABC News Medical Editor and pastor) in his best-selling book, Finding God In The Questions, tells about the many skeptics who wonder if there is a God, why He does not make His existence more plain. Woody Allen jokes, "If only God would give me some clear sign, like making a large deposit in my name in a Swiss bank account!" Somewhat irreverent, but which of us has not, at one time or another, wished for God to make Himself plainly known? Johnson suggests that were God to speak in a voice we could plainly discern, He would destroy the gift of our will, for we would be overwhelmed into passive submission. He longs for us to choose to seek Him, by faith, and to love Him without terror.
Johnson re-tells Kierkegaard's parable of a king who falls in love with a peasant girl. He wonders how to make his love known to her without ruining her ability to freely love him in return. He does not want to simply order her to love him though he could. If he gives her liberal gifts befitting his royal status, he can never know if she loves him or just his gifts. So, he decides to assume the guise of a peasant to woo her. This is the story of God! He loves us, leaving us many evidences of that love, but His great act of demonstrated love was in the Incarnation, when He became a man and lived among us.
We read the Bible's revelation, observe the evidence of Creation, sense the Spirit at work and 'seeing' that He exists, we choose to love Him by faith! Like any love relationship, loving God is complicated. We bring expectations that are unrealistic to our love for Him. We misunderstand Him. We try His love when our affections wander to lesser loves- YET, even if we are faithless, it does not destroy His love! The Scripture calls us to understand the greatness of knowing Him saying: This is a sure thing:
If we die with him, we’ll live with him; If we stick it out with him, we’ll rule with him; If we turn our backs on him, he’ll turn his back on us; If we give up on him, he does not give up— for there’s no way he can be false to himself. (2 Timothy 2:11-13, The Message)
One of the mistaken ideas about faith is that it will eliminate the difficulties, answer all the questions. That is not true. The truth is that the deeper our faith, the more profound our questions will be! The more of God we see, the more we begin to know that there is so much more to understand. The greater our love for Him, the more He asks of us in return. That is why the Word reminds us that "it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that there is a God and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him." (Hebrews 11:6, NLT)
Go deeper, Believer. Press past the shallow faith that is focused on today's bread, on comfortable circumstances. By faith, ask the King to draw you into His embrace so that you will know Him, serve Him, love Him to eternity.
Monday, February 07, 2005
Faith, for what?
Recently I counseled with a Believer who is in a time of great uncertainties. Everything is changing, This person is trying to cope with issues of aging, growing children who resist the old family patterns, a marriage relationship that is being redefined, a sense of place in the world that is shifting, even new thoughts about God and how He works. As we talked, this troubled soul asked - "What can I do to make this all go away? Am I praying the right way? Am I doing something wrong?" As I saw the situation, this Believer is at a moment where there is the potential for great spiritual growth. Yes, in the same moment, there is also potential for tremendous destruction! I quietly told this Believer, "At no time in your life, other than perhaps when you were a teenager, have you had the opportunity to make such a huge difference in your future with a few decisions. You can choose to try to make the pain of change go away by drinking too much, leaving your family, seeking some pleasurable diversions OR you can face the changes with courage, take time in prayer and counsel to learn and do God's will, and become a mature saint with an unshakeable faith!"
The picture of a piece of pasture land comes to mind. A rolling field of grass, a pretty meadow, can only become a fruitful field of grain if the ground is turned by the hard edge of the plow. We cannot become people of abundance in spirit unless we are willing to let God plow up the meadows of our lives! Jeremiah called on the people of God in this way saying: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns." (Jeremiah 4:3, NLT)
I take issue with those prophets of prosperity that fill our TV screens and sell thousands of books telling the people that they need not ever suffer, that they can have more money, better health, and unending happiness if they just 'confess' that they are King's Kids! The spirit of the church of Laodicea (see Revelation 3) pervades the Pentecostal/Charismatic churches of America today. Faith becomes a formula to get rich, to grab power, to avoid anything that is unpleasant. The sales pitch of these false prophets never varies much from the self-focused message of triumphalism -- "You can make your dreams come true by confessing your victory, claiming your inheritance!" They claim that Believers can get what they want from God by saying faith-filled words. All too often what these so-called saints want from God are bigger houses, nicer cars, eternal youth, and more perks at work!
The real issue is not what I want from God - it is what God wants from me. He doesn't exist for me, I exist for Him. But the arrogance of our national success culture has crept into our churches, the 'can-do' attitude of American philosophy has twisted our theology so that we firmly believe God should bless us by endorsing our plans and providing for our personal habits of happiness. God cries out to us; "I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference." (Revelation 3:17-19, NLT)
What do you want most from the Lord today - an easy road or to be full of His Spirit and transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ?
Answer that honestly. Are you willing to let Him plow up the fields of your heart to prepare for planting the seeds of the Word for an abundant harvest to come?
He promises that we will not go through the times of transition alone. And, yes, there is victory for us. No, it isn't the temporal success story. It is the eternal success story that will be told 'round the table of Heaven. Take this promise with you today. Meditate on it and invite Him in.
Jesus says -“Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!" (Revelation 3:20-21, The Message)
_______________________________
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher ev'ry day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious holy Word.
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Deeper, deeper! Blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
'Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus
And His perfect will.
Deeper, deeper!
Tho' it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Deeper, higher, ev'ry day in Jesus,
Till all conflicts past
finds me conqu'ror,
And in His own image perfected at last. - © Public Domain CCLI License No. 810055
The picture of a piece of pasture land comes to mind. A rolling field of grass, a pretty meadow, can only become a fruitful field of grain if the ground is turned by the hard edge of the plow. We cannot become people of abundance in spirit unless we are willing to let God plow up the meadows of our lives! Jeremiah called on the people of God in this way saying: “Plow up the hard ground of your hearts! Do not waste your good seed among thorns." (Jeremiah 4:3, NLT)
I take issue with those prophets of prosperity that fill our TV screens and sell thousands of books telling the people that they need not ever suffer, that they can have more money, better health, and unending happiness if they just 'confess' that they are King's Kids! The spirit of the church of Laodicea (see Revelation 3) pervades the Pentecostal/Charismatic churches of America today. Faith becomes a formula to get rich, to grab power, to avoid anything that is unpleasant. The sales pitch of these false prophets never varies much from the self-focused message of triumphalism -- "You can make your dreams come true by confessing your victory, claiming your inheritance!" They claim that Believers can get what they want from God by saying faith-filled words. All too often what these so-called saints want from God are bigger houses, nicer cars, eternal youth, and more perks at work!
The real issue is not what I want from God - it is what God wants from me. He doesn't exist for me, I exist for Him. But the arrogance of our national success culture has crept into our churches, the 'can-do' attitude of American philosophy has twisted our theology so that we firmly believe God should bless us by endorsing our plans and providing for our personal habits of happiness. God cries out to us; "I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. And also buy white garments so you will not be shamed by your nakedness. And buy ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I am the one who corrects and disciplines everyone I love. Be diligent and turn from your indifference." (Revelation 3:17-19, NLT)
What do you want most from the Lord today - an easy road or to be full of His Spirit and transformed into the likeness of Jesus Christ?
Answer that honestly. Are you willing to let Him plow up the fields of your heart to prepare for planting the seeds of the Word for an abundant harvest to come?
He promises that we will not go through the times of transition alone. And, yes, there is victory for us. No, it isn't the temporal success story. It is the eternal success story that will be told 'round the table of Heaven. Take this promise with you today. Meditate on it and invite Him in.
Jesus says -“Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors!" (Revelation 3:20-21, The Message)
_______________________________
Oh, deeper yet, I pray,
And higher ev'ry day,
And wiser, blessed Lord,
In Thy precious holy Word.
Deeper, deeper in the love of Jesus
Daily let me go;
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom,
More of grace to know.
Deeper, deeper! Blessed Holy Spirit,
Take me deeper still,
'Till my life is wholly lost in Jesus
And His perfect will.
Deeper, deeper!
Tho' it cost hard trials,
Deeper let me go!
Rooted in the holy love of Jesus,
Let me fruitful grow.
Deeper, higher, ev'ry day in Jesus,
Till all conflicts past
finds me conqu'ror,
And in His own image perfected at last. - © Public Domain CCLI License No. 810055
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