You matter to me!

"Pastor Jerry, look! Pastor Jerry, Pastor Jerry..." The little voice drifted into my consciousness, though the child speaking was just a few feet away, I was so focused on the task at hand that I had shut out everything and everyone else for the moment. It happened yesterday while I was at our Christian school trying to figure out why one of the PC's wasn't connecting to the network. (Turned out to be the simplest problem - a disconnected cable!) I wanted to solve the problem and though I was in a room full of 1st graders, they were 'invisible' to me because I was not paying any attention to them. A child simply wanted a moment's notice and when I 'tuned in' to her, her face beamed with delight as she displayed her work for my approval. My attention, in a matter of such small consequence, communicated "you matter to me!" My failure to pay attention sent an unintended negative message, "You are not a person of worth."

If we love people like God wants us to, we will set aside pre-occupation with our agenda and involve ourselves with them. We will pay attention, listen, and help out as we are able. Too often we think that showing God's love requires the great sacrifice, the grand gesture. We demonstrate the love that God desires us to show to others in ordinary situations.

Here's how Jesus reminds us of our worth to the Omnipotent God of the Universe -
“What’s the price of a pet canary? Some loose change, right? And God cares what happens to it even more than you do. He pays even greater attention to you, down to the last detail—even numbering the hairs on your head!" (Matthew 10:29-30, The Message) Isn't that mind-boggling?

God loves us, not generally, but specifically! He would have us to love in the same way - not just with sweeping rhetoric - but with focused love for the individuals that surround us. Our natural inclination is to go through life fitting people into our agenda; having good intentions, but focused on our own immediate needs. We mean to love, but 'not right now' because we're busy! And, we're always busy. We plan to share with those in need, 'when we get enough' resources accumulated, which never happens.

Dad, you want your child to know that he is a person of worth? Pay attention to him NOW.
Husband, you want your wife to know that you love her? Listen to her - noting her needs, desires, hopes! Really take part in her life! (It works the other way 'round, too.)

I was reading some select passages from the OT prophets yesterday. One of the things that stood out to me was how often God expressed His disapproval of His people, not just for the 'biggie' sins like worshipping false gods or gross sexual immorality; but for their disregard of the poor, their oppression of the weak, depriving the 'little guys' of justice in the courts. Take a look at this passage from Amos. "...You trample the poor and steal what little they have through taxes and unfair rent. Therefore, you will never live in the beautiful stone houses you are building. You will never drink wine from the lush vineyards you are planting. For I know the vast number of your sins and rebellions. You oppress good people by taking bribes and deprive the poor of justice in the courts." (Amos 5:10-12, NLT)

Christian, we do not please God just by scrupulous morality or doing good things like going to church or paying our tithes. Those are good choices when they are an expression of our love for God. But Jesus reminds that there is a second great commandment, too. It is "love your neighbor as yourself!"

Here's a word from the Word to keep in your mind today:

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers. If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him? Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth. This then is how we know that we belong to the truth, and how we set our hearts at rest in his presence" (1 John 3:16-19, NIV)

Got Faith?

If you're reading TFTD, chances are you are a 'person of faith.' But what does that mean, anyway? Is faith, "thinking positively?" No. Is faith, "having a good feeling" about something? No! The famous line of Scripture from Hebrews tells us that "faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see." (11:1) Faith causes us to choose God's way even when that path is difficult, calls for self-denial, and/or leads us into conflict with prevailing wisdom. Why? Because faith connects this transitory world with the eternal, giving us a reason to obey God.

Faith can be very dangerous if it is not set in the context of submission to God. Some people express a self-fueled faith. They may quote promises from the Bible and appear outwardly to be living a faith-life. However, if you press them, you will discover they are using 'faith language' to force their own agenda. They try to make God act in ways they desire by throwing Bible verses in His face! God didn't give us the promises of the Bible so we could find a phrase, seize on it, and then 'make Him do what we want.' He gave us the promises of the Scripture so we would trust Him and submit ourselves to Him.

Take forgiveness as an example. Extending forgiveness can hard, right? A person told me recently, "If you knew my mother-in-law, you wouldn't ask me to forgive her. She's mean and controlling." I responded, "I'm not asking you to forgive her, God is demanding that you do so." This person was honest enough to say, "Well, I'm just not there!" We then talked about faith that causes us to be obedient - even when we can't see why we would even want to be. I cautioned that person about forgiving with the idea - "OK, if I forgive her, then she will change." Maybe she won't! Forgive because it is the command of God, because faith gives you the vision to see beyond yourself, your own comfort. Obedience is in trusting God's wisdom - a form of faith.

Faith frees us from the need to demand a certain outcome in life. Often walking the path of faith takes us into the unknown, pointing us in the direction where the road disappears into the fog! As Abraham led his beloved son, Isaac, along the road to Mt. Moriah, where God had directed him to sacrifice his only true heir, he could not see what was going to happen. "It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God’s promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac." (Hebrews 11:17, NLT) The trip would have been easy IF the patriarch had known that a substitutionary ram would be presented, but he didn't until he obeyed and went all the way to the point of building the altar and laying his son on it. Then, God gave him his son back!

A 'faith' that demands miracles, that requires lists of 'answered prayers,' that is built around 'see I told you He is real' testimonies is shallow faith, focused on results rather than on God's rule and purpose. Faith that steadily trusts God even when life is dark, in the middle of uncertainty, in the fog of confusion is the kind of faith that I desire and admire. I know that not everyone who has real faith gets healed of their cancer, raises kids that are saints, or keeps their job when the economy goes bad! Faith is not a pass on the suffering of life in this fallen world. Faith is the connection to God that keeps us from hopelessness and despair those kinds of situations. It is what let's us keep trusting Him, obeying Him, when we look like a fool for doing so.

The writer of Hebrews points out the apparent 'failure' of the faith of some who did not enjoy a victorious outcome! He says,
"Others were tortured and refused to be released, so that they might gain a better resurrection.
Some faced jeers and flogging, while still others were chained and put in prison.
They were stoned; they were sawed in two; they were put to death by the sword.
They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated— the world was not worthy of them.
They wandered in deserts and mountains, and in caves and holes in the ground.

These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised.
God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect." (Hebrews 11:35-40, NIV)

Got faith? Make sure it is a faith in God, not a faith in faith!
_________________________

All things work for our good,
Though sometimes we can't see how they could.
Struggles that break our hearts in two
Sometimes blind us to the truth,
Our Father knows what's best for us;
His ways are not our own.
So when your pathway grows dim,
And you just can't see Him,
Remember, you're never alone,

He sees the master plan.
He holds the future in His hands.
So don't live as those who have no hope;
All our hope is found in Him.
We see the present clearly,
But He sees the first and the last.
And like a tapestry,
He's weaving you and me
To someday be just like Him.

God is too wise to be mistaken.
God is too good to be unkind.
So when you don't understand,
When you don't see His plan,
When you can't trace His hand,
Trust His heart.

Title: Trust His Heart
Author: Carswell, Eddie / Mason, Babbie
Copyright: 1989 Dayspring Music, Inc.

Approved - by God.

We are all finding our place in the world. Questions of security, of belonging, of personal worth are a part of life. If we are insecure, those questions become very important and we spend a lot of time measuring ourselves, evaluating how others are treating us, seeking affirmation. Just look at your average teenage girl. At age 14, most people have not yet developed a strong sense of identity. That is why teens move in groups and work so hard to conform to the popular norms. For example, the label on their jeans is a critical thing - because it is a way to 'fit in.'

Some persons never really move out of that time of life emotionally even well into adulthood. They crave the approval and acceptance of friends and family. The opinions of others - about their work, the way they are raising their kids, the kind of car they drive, even the way they tend their yard - defines them. They are like a puppet on string, dancing on life's stage - but because someone else tugs at them; first this way, then that. Persons who live for approval of others will constantly be adjusting their image, trying to conceal those parts of their life that they think are unacceptable. They do not even know who they really are.

One of the wonderful benefits of being a Christian is the discovery of God's amazing love, offered to us, NOT on the basis of our beauty, brains, or brawn; but just because we are! As we learn of God's love, as shown in Jesus Christ, and respond to Him with love, we gain a security and a sense of identity that allows us to live openly and honestly, becoming holy men and women. Yes it is true. Religion produces hypocrites, because it is about human performance, about doing good works, about meeting the expectations of God- as defined by others. A grace-based relationship with God produces a whole person because it about being loved powerfully, by One who knows us best, and desiring to please Him.

Some who are Christians have not grasped the extent of God's acceptance, hence they never speak of their failures, never admit to fear or confusion, carefully hide those things that they consider blots in the book of life. When I find myself in the company of someone like that, who feels compelled to always look like they're doing great, I just want to hug them close and whisper - "God loves you, blots and all. It's OK to be real!" I'm not advocating reveling in sin or excusing bad behaviors. That is a twisted concept of God's gracious love. It is true that some, in immaturity, make God's grace into a license for sinning. "If He loves me as I am, then I can go on living to suit myself." That's always been the response of some to the message of God's love.

Yes, we must change, becoming holy men and women. Here's the clear call of the Word. "Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is." (Romans 12:2, NLT) The motive for that change is the KEY. Are we trying to change ourselves to win the approval of our church or family, or are we loving God and being changed by love? Let me illustrate the idea from marriage. I love Bev, my wife. I have loved her for a long time now, yesterday being the 31st anniversary of our wedding vows! My fidelity to her is not a matter of avoiding disapproval of others or even her disapproval. I am faithful to my vows, because I love her! When I see other beautiful women, I do not need to do elaborate mental gymnastics to keep my heart true to my wife - because I love her! And, the deeper our love has grown, the more repugnant the thought of betraying our vows has become.

Are you insecure?
Are you trying to win approval - from God, from others - with morality, with service, or by presenting only your 'good side' to the world?

Believe this- God knows you and loves you, just as you are!
Believer, a true and beautiful holiness, a pure morality, a winsome authenticity grows in the fertile soil of love.

Here's a word to meditate on today -"For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God. And other people will approve of you, too." (Romans 14:17-18, NLT)
_________________
How deep the Father's love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.

How great the pain of searing loss,
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.

Behold the man upon a cross.
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life -
I know that it is finished.

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.

Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer.
But this I know with all my heart,
His wounds have paid my ransom.

How Deep The Father's Love For Us, Townend, Stuart
Copyright: 1995 Kingsway's Thankyou Music (Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing)

What's the truth? Will you help me find it?

Monday being my day out of the office, I was able to watch some of the Senate confirmation hearings for Mr. Samuel Alito, nominee to the US Supreme Court. This judicial nomination will have far-reaching ramifications, given the deep political, social, and religious divides in America today. My attention was captured by the extreme differences between the statements made by Democratic Senators and the Republican Senators that characterized this nominee's prior work as a judge and his opinions from the bench. Could they be speaking of the same man? I found myself asking, "what is the truth?" Portions of the presentations made by Senators from both sides of the aisle were thought provoking; and, in my opinion, worthy of honest debate to help clarify how we expect each of three arms of our Federal government to function in preserving our cherished freedoms and way of life. But what is more likely is that the two sides in this debate will speak past each other, never really listening to each other, at all.

My point in this TFTD is not to advance a political point of view. Rather I want to ask us to think for moment about the ways in which we become entrenched in our opinions to such an extent that dialogue becomes impossible. It is comfortable, and even easy, to think that what we have come to believe is the truth, isn't it? We generally group ourselves with people who think as we do, thus reinforcing our beliefs. Certain phrases, even words, become coded, meaning that they carry a special meaning to us, though we may not realize it. So we go out into a surreal world where we speak the same words of the same langugage to each other, but we do not understand what is meant by those words.

Dialogue, open and honest, helps break the code in our words. But few of us are interested in dialogue; instead, we shout! Dialogue is an exhausting, even frustrating process! Jimmy's Carter, former President and Nobel Peace Prize winner, has written a new book, Our Endangered Values, in which he pleads with us to listen to each other, rather than shooting at each other with words, if not literally. He sees the rise in fundamentalism, (that he characterizes as the idea "I am right, therefore you are wrong and there is nothing to discuss.") which is gaining ground around the world, as the real threat of the future. Why? Because it allows for no clarifying dialogue. Even here in these United States, there are many who will not listen to an opposing point of view fearing that even by listening they will appear to be giving credence to those who oppose them. When people begin to attempt to 'out shout' each other, the truth is lost in the din.

"But, Jerry, don't you believe in Jesus Christ and the Truth of the Scripture?" I do, but I don't have to shout down those who swear it's all a myth or deception! Rather, I am convinced by Christ's model of love that I need to make my life consistent by closing the gap between what I say I believe and how I act in everyday situations. As a Christian, it is imperative that I live with integrity. This becomes the 'witness' to the Truth of Christ which others find hard to refute. If I listen to their criticism, I may discover areas where my actions are not reflecting the Truth I espouse, something that might be more obvious to an outsider than to myself. If I humble myself to engage in dialogue, I may earn the right to be heard and have the opportunity to 'decode' the Gospel for those who do not understand.

Are you speaking past your neighbor, past your family members, past your friends in a supposed defense of the Gospel of Christ?
Are you really listening to them.... to the Spirit of God?

Let's turn down the volume and make large the video!
Let's ask the Spirit of God to make our lives whole and holy, full of grace and truth, marked by love and good deeds.
Though a million should swear against the Truth, they will not make it a lie. Though a million should affirm a falsehood, they cannot make it true.

So, we stand in Him, secure in His love.

Here's a Word to ponder today:
Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man’s anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires. Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.

Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.

But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does." (James 1:19-25, NIV)

What prize?

Wild card weekend is over! Four football teams advance in the play-offs, including my New England Patriots, who are again looking like the SuperBowl champions they were a year ago. Millions of dollars, thousands of hours- yes, entire lives- are devoted to the pursuit of winning a game and being declared the champions ... for a year until the next SuperBowl. It's a lot of effort for a very temporary reward.

What are you working for? Is it worth the effort?

The Scripture says, "Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever." (1 Corinthians 9:25, NIV) Paul uses athletic competition to illustrate spiritual truth frequently in his New Testament writings. {I wonder if he would have been a football fan?} In the passage quoted, he refers to the 'crown,' the wreath of laurel that was placed on the head of the winner of the games. He refers to the obvious temporary quality of that reward. The leaves of the 'crown' soon wilted and eventually crumbled to powder! Did the athletes really work to win the wreath? Of course not. It was the recognition that came with wearing that coveted symbol of success that they desired. But even such recognition is short-lived. They knew that another athlete was already training hard to compete in the games, and that another would be taking first place in line soon.

Again, I ask - what are you working for?
Money? What you buy will soon wear out, become obsolete, or lose its luster.
Fame? Remember Andy's Warhol's line about 'everyone getting their 15 minutes of fame?' The public's attention span is very short!
Security? Let me remind you that nothing this side of heaven is secure!

"Jerry, you sound cynical and pessimistic about life." No, not at all. I have a real purpose that is focused on eternity. What I do now, those things that give me hope and that motivate me, are anchored to the spiritual realm in the will and purpose of God! Paul said, "So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. 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 9:26-28, NLT)

Understand the heart of this challenge! It is not that we all have become preachers or that we all have to go on the payroll of some not-for-profit service agency in order to have a meaningful or God-pleasing life. God needs His people in business and government, too! Whatever we do, if we are reaching for the eternal prize, must be done in a way that reflects Christ is Lord of our life. You can go to work today with the aim of 'putting in your time,' to bring home a few dollars at the end of the week. With that focus, you're earning a prize that will quickly fade! Or you can go to work to please God, in whatever you do! Yes, it is true. Paul urges a work ethic that is eternity-focused writing: "Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving." (Colossians 3:23-24, NIV)

Honor the Lord with your efforts today. As a parent, as a spouse, as an employee, as a neighbor, as a friend... keep your eyes on the eternal prize of His approval, a prize that won't wilt, crumble, fade, or be surpassed by another in the SuperBowl of life!
_______________

Father, give us vision that sees into eternity!
Help me to see Your purposes in our lives so I will be called to excellence.
All around me, Lord, there are people who are working for very temporary rewards,
and I am drawn to the trinkets that are offered.
The gleam of gold allures me, Lord.
The certificate of recognition promises me that I can feel like a winner.
Remind me how short-lived those awards are, so I will focus my efforts beyond them.

Hold out the promise of eternal life to me.
Give me the desire, more than anything else in life,
to do Your will and so to hear those coveted words from Christ, my Savior and Lord:
"Well done, good and faithful servant. Come share my happiness!"
In the Name of Jesus, I pray.
Amen.