Georgia is enduring a terrible drought, down to a few weeks of water reserves. Earlier this week, the governor of the state called a prayer meeting on the steps of the state capitol building. An atheist from Atlanta decried the governor's action saying, "It's make Georgians look stupid." From a purely secular viewpoint, a group of people standing on a government buildings steps, with eyes closed, addressing an unseen God, is absurd, isn't it? Yesterday, several friends of mine gathered and we, too, talked to the unseen Deity. We poured out our hearts, asking for healing, for guidance, for provision for our needs. We did so, not in an act of desperation, or as a last resort! We prayed with confidence. Do you?
Jesus says that Believers should pray confidently for this reason - "God is good!"
He says, "If your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him." (Matthew 7:9-11, NLT) Do you believe that is true? The enemy of God argues against His goodness and has done so since the beginning of human history.
The Genesis story of Eve and Adam becoming sinful centers around the question of God's goodness! The Tempter implies that God is withholding something desirable from those He created! "The serpent told the Woman, "You won’t die. God knows that the moment you eat from that tree, you’ll see what’s really going on. You’ll be just like God, knowing everything, ranging all the way from good to evil." (Genesis 3:4-5, The Message) With variations on that theme, the deceiver works at getting you and me to doubt God's benevolence.
If we begin to believe that God is capricious, or uncaring, or remote, or cruel - our prayers become tentative or fearful; or they cease altogether! That is why we need to hear Jesus' words about God's goodness, again and again. "Your Heavenly Father will give good gifts to those who ask Him!" God's goodness, His ultimate love, forms the basis of holy confidence and frees us to pray earnestly, honestly, and from our heart - trusting Him to do what is best- for us in keeping with His eternal purposes.
We must accept what God's goodness means.
It does not mean He is nice like Grandpa! As a grandparent, I am not charged with training my grandsons like their father is. So, when they visit me, I can let some of the rules slide 'cause that what a Grandpa does. I put chocolate in their milk! I surreptitiously slide their peas onto my plate so they don't have to eat them. Their Dad has to discipline them and he is good to them by enforcing disciplines that will shape their character. God doesn't always give us chocolate milk, but He is still good! God's goodness does not mean that He always makes our lives easy, pleasant, or pain-free! "For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way." (Hebrews 12:10-11, NLT)
Do not misplace your confidence, when praying, in your own goodness. Many Believers do. When we think we have been good in a moral kind of way we begin to think that we have built up some credit with God. Subtly, the lie 'God, you owe me,' slips into our mind. When we start to think thoughts like - "I tithed and even gave generously above my tithe, so You should give me what I want." - we are no longer praying like beloved children of God. Instead, we have becoming dutiful servants, begging our case. Our true confidence in prayer focuses on His goodness, on the fact that even our entry into His Presence is an invitation of grace provided to us freely at His expense. The Word reminds us that it is "Because of Christ and our faith in him, we can now come boldly and confidently into God’s presence." (Ephesians 3:12, NLT)
So, here's the word from the Word- "Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you." (Matthew 7:7, NLT) Pray and receive from the Lord what is truly good for you. God's invitation is -
"Come, all you who are thirsty, come to the waters;
and you who have no money, come, buy and eat!
Come, buy wine and milk without money and without cost.
Why spend money on what is not bread, and your labor on what does not satisfy?
Listen, listen to me, and eat what is good, and your soul will delight in the richest of fare.
Give ear and come to me; hear me, that your soul may live. I will make an everlasting covenant with you, my faithful love promised to David." (Isaiah 55:1-3, NIV) Amen.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Thursday, November 15, 2007
Testify!
The church I grew up in was big on testimony time in the Sunday night service. For the uninitiated, it was a kind of 'open mic' time when people stood to tell what God had done for them or at least what they attributed to God. We heard a lot about near misses while people were driving! I started to think that maybe Christians were really bad drivers. Sometimes the 'testimonies' sounded like plain old bragging to me especially when it focused on the award won by somebody's son!
Sometimes an anecdote provoked laughter as it revealed an ordinary human foible in contrast with God's greatness. Sometimes I was bored by the tales of faith that I heard over and over and over and over until I could almost tell them from memory even though they were not 'my story!' I was often mortified by the displays that people, who seemed so unsophisticated in their faith, ('sophisticated faith' - is that an oxymoron?) attached to their testimonies - tears, laughter, shouts, hands waving in the air, etc. It was hard for me, especially in the self-consciousness of my teen-age years, to see the value in the gritty spirituality that was so raw, so authentic. Today, nearly 50 years of age, I reflect on those services more charitably and with a different kind of appreciation.
While some crazy stuff happened when the mic got handed to people not used to having the floor, there was real value in sharing our spiritual journey, in "letting the redeemed of the Lord say" where and how they were experiencing His grace, His love, and His power in their lives! Occasionally testimony time was GREAT. Yes, there were moments when the message was nearly lost to mangled syntax or obscured by an overflow of uncontrolled emotion. But, there were those moments when the raw witness to God's work was more powerful than a sermon.
Few church meetings stand out in my mind more vividly than those in which a missionary who was serving the Lord in Africa or Asia came to testify about how they were seeing God at work.
We don't do testimony time much anymore, at least in our church services. Perhaps in our desire to avoid hearing Brother Jones long-winded and/or over- wrought presentations we have has robbed ourselves of a valuable part of our communal Christian experience- testimony time. We need a place to tell our stories and we need to hear them told, don't we?
Psalm 107:1-2 says that we must --"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!His faithful love endures forever.Has the Lord redeemed you?Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies."
Let me encourage you, Believer, to take a few moments next week to have a 'testimony time' at your Thanksgiving mealtime. At the Assembly, on Thanksgiving Eve, we're going to have an old-time testimony time, too! We're going to encourage one another, not by letting our light shine, but letting His Light shine through us. We're going to give the glory and honor to Jesus.
When you 'testify' whether in church, at your dinner table, or around the break table at work, do in a way that maximizes the effectiveness of the story.
Take some cues from a guy who's sat through a lot of testimony services.
- Don't brag, give God the glory.
- Don't embellish, let the simple truth bear witness.
- Tell your own story, not a second-hand one you read in a book. Your story is more interesting and compelling even if it is not so dramatic.
- Don't be afraid of real emotion. Tears aren't toxic! Relax.
- Don't preach, let the story pack it's own punch.
- Keep it short and succinct.
_____________________________________
Sometimes an anecdote provoked laughter as it revealed an ordinary human foible in contrast with God's greatness. Sometimes I was bored by the tales of faith that I heard over and over and over and over until I could almost tell them from memory even though they were not 'my story!' I was often mortified by the displays that people, who seemed so unsophisticated in their faith, ('sophisticated faith' - is that an oxymoron?) attached to their testimonies - tears, laughter, shouts, hands waving in the air, etc. It was hard for me, especially in the self-consciousness of my teen-age years, to see the value in the gritty spirituality that was so raw, so authentic. Today, nearly 50 years of age, I reflect on those services more charitably and with a different kind of appreciation.
While some crazy stuff happened when the mic got handed to people not used to having the floor, there was real value in sharing our spiritual journey, in "letting the redeemed of the Lord say" where and how they were experiencing His grace, His love, and His power in their lives! Occasionally testimony time was GREAT. Yes, there were moments when the message was nearly lost to mangled syntax or obscured by an overflow of uncontrolled emotion. But, there were those moments when the raw witness to God's work was more powerful than a sermon.
Few church meetings stand out in my mind more vividly than those in which a missionary who was serving the Lord in Africa or Asia came to testify about how they were seeing God at work.
We don't do testimony time much anymore, at least in our church services. Perhaps in our desire to avoid hearing Brother Jones long-winded and/or over- wrought presentations we have has robbed ourselves of a valuable part of our communal Christian experience- testimony time. We need a place to tell our stories and we need to hear them told, don't we?
Psalm 107:1-2 says that we must --"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good!His faithful love endures forever.Has the Lord redeemed you?Then speak out! Tell others he has saved you from your enemies."
Let me encourage you, Believer, to take a few moments next week to have a 'testimony time' at your Thanksgiving mealtime. At the Assembly, on Thanksgiving Eve, we're going to have an old-time testimony time, too! We're going to encourage one another, not by letting our light shine, but letting His Light shine through us. We're going to give the glory and honor to Jesus.
When you 'testify' whether in church, at your dinner table, or around the break table at work, do in a way that maximizes the effectiveness of the story.
Take some cues from a guy who's sat through a lot of testimony services.
- Don't brag, give God the glory.
- Don't embellish, let the simple truth bear witness.
- Tell your own story, not a second-hand one you read in a book. Your story is more interesting and compelling even if it is not so dramatic.
- Don't be afraid of real emotion. Tears aren't toxic! Relax.
- Don't preach, let the story pack it's own punch.
- Keep it short and succinct.
_____________________________________
Wednesday, November 14, 2007
Unprincipled Expedience
It was one of those situations that can only be filed under the label - "Beyond Explanation." Last week Pat Robertson endorsed Rudy Giuliani for the Republican nomination for President. The preacher who has advocated for the protection of the unborn, who has resisted same sex marriage laws mightily, chose to publicly throw his influence behind a man who is a self-admitted adulterer, a supporter of abortion on demand, and gay marriage. I liked McCain's response which was simply eloquent, "For once, I'm speechless!" My remarks are not about who should be our next President. TFTD is not a political column. What I want to focus on is the reason offered by Robertson for what he did, "Giuliani is the only candidate I think can defeat the Democrats in the '08 election." In other words Mr. Robertson chose a position based expedience, what he thinks will work to produce the desired result.
Expedience tempts us all. A young Believer whose marriage is on the rocks wept as she admitted to me that she married a man she knew did not share her faith. Now their marriage was missing a heart, a shared set of values built around a common love for Christ. She made her choice despite the Scripture's warning about being unequally yoked and her own Mom's warnings. She knew the principle but chose to do what seemed to work for her in the moment. Most of us could tell similar stories of times when we, too, found a way to sidestep God's wisdom and way to follow our preferred path.
In Genesis, we read the story of Abraham and Sarah. God promised them a son from whom would come a great nation! As age closed in on her and it became clear she was beyond the age of conception, she chose a path of expedience, giving her maid, Hagar, to Abraham as a surrogate mother. Problem solved, right? Wrong! It was a plan that worked to produce a son, but it was not God's plan for the promised son. As the story unfolds we see the struggle that developed between the son of promise born later by miraculous provision and the son of Hagar, conceived through expedience! Proverbs reminds us that "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 16:25, NKJV)
Principled people are a pain in the neck! They refuse to just 'go along to get along.' They often seem to be rigid, unyielding- for they are not susceptible to winds of opinion, to peer pressure, or to desperation. They stand in the way of those who 'just want to get the job done.' They want to 'do the job right.' They are called unreasonable, pushed aside as obstacles to progress. Of course there is a different between a truly principled individual and a stubborn one! A stubborn person just does not listen to anyone else because he is convinced of the rightness of his superior opinions. That is not what God wants from us. We must take great care that we do not confuse our preferences with God's eternal principles!
Let me use a hot button issue to illustrate. Hundreds of churches in America are bitterly divided over styles of worship. On one side stand those who think that true worship is built around 18th century hymns, beautifully written, and accompanied by a pipe organ. On the other stand those who sing songs written yesterday, lyrics projected on the wall, accompanied by pounding drums and electrified guitars. Both claim principle backs their position. Neither is right. The issue is one of preference!
A person of true principles is never arrogant, haughty, or harsh. He is quietly committed to living the Truth of the Scripture and knows that "wisdom is proved right by all her children." (Luke 7:35, NIV) Believer, are you tempted by a path of expedience today? Is there a choice before you that involves a 'practical solution' versus a 'principled decision'? First, know God's wisdom and ways. Then, ask for faith to accept it. Then, follow His path, no matter the cost.
Here's a word from the Word. May it guide your mind today and always. "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ... the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17, NKJV)
Expedience tempts us all. A young Believer whose marriage is on the rocks wept as she admitted to me that she married a man she knew did not share her faith. Now their marriage was missing a heart, a shared set of values built around a common love for Christ. She made her choice despite the Scripture's warning about being unequally yoked and her own Mom's warnings. She knew the principle but chose to do what seemed to work for her in the moment. Most of us could tell similar stories of times when we, too, found a way to sidestep God's wisdom and way to follow our preferred path.
In Genesis, we read the story of Abraham and Sarah. God promised them a son from whom would come a great nation! As age closed in on her and it became clear she was beyond the age of conception, she chose a path of expedience, giving her maid, Hagar, to Abraham as a surrogate mother. Problem solved, right? Wrong! It was a plan that worked to produce a son, but it was not God's plan for the promised son. As the story unfolds we see the struggle that developed between the son of promise born later by miraculous provision and the son of Hagar, conceived through expedience! Proverbs reminds us that "There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death." (Proverbs 16:25, NKJV)
Principled people are a pain in the neck! They refuse to just 'go along to get along.' They often seem to be rigid, unyielding- for they are not susceptible to winds of opinion, to peer pressure, or to desperation. They stand in the way of those who 'just want to get the job done.' They want to 'do the job right.' They are called unreasonable, pushed aside as obstacles to progress. Of course there is a different between a truly principled individual and a stubborn one! A stubborn person just does not listen to anyone else because he is convinced of the rightness of his superior opinions. That is not what God wants from us. We must take great care that we do not confuse our preferences with God's eternal principles!
Let me use a hot button issue to illustrate. Hundreds of churches in America are bitterly divided over styles of worship. On one side stand those who think that true worship is built around 18th century hymns, beautifully written, and accompanied by a pipe organ. On the other stand those who sing songs written yesterday, lyrics projected on the wall, accompanied by pounding drums and electrified guitars. Both claim principle backs their position. Neither is right. The issue is one of preference!
A person of true principles is never arrogant, haughty, or harsh. He is quietly committed to living the Truth of the Scripture and knows that "wisdom is proved right by all her children." (Luke 7:35, NIV) Believer, are you tempted by a path of expedience today? Is there a choice before you that involves a 'practical solution' versus a 'principled decision'? First, know God's wisdom and ways. Then, ask for faith to accept it. Then, follow His path, no matter the cost.
Here's a word from the Word. May it guide your mind today and always. "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. ... the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy." (James 3:17, NKJV)
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
What a team!
An oft-quoted proverb, attributed to the Chinese, says:
If your vision is for a year, cultivate wheat!
If your vision is for a decade, cultivate trees!
If your vision is for a lifetime, cultivate people!
Yesterday, I was taking an inventory, sorting through the resources that are available to me to accomplish the work that God has called the Assembly to do. Our church is currently wrestling with some fiscal issues that are a challenge. Prayerfully I thought - "What, if anything, am I supposed to do about this, Lord?" I am not very enthusiastic about doing the work of raising funds, but the need is too pressing to ignore, which pushed me over my reluctance. As I listed the Assembly's resources I saw the obvious- buildings, of which we have plenty. There are some monetary reserves on which to draw, but not nearly enough to bridge the looming gap. There is equity in our properties which might be tapped. Then, my thoughts shifted to people resources. God has assembled a great team, good men and women who care deeply about His work and the ministries of our church. In reflection it became more clear to me that my part in meeting this current challenge is not so much about raising funds as it is about cultivating the "people resources" that God has provided.
A church that is functioning as God intended is a team of dedicated people who give their time, their money, yes- themselves - to advance the Kingdom of God on earth. It is not a theatre where many gather to watch a few perform! It is a community where many are gifted, in dozens of ways, to work to bring about a mutual benefit, all for the glory of God. Our Assembly has a simple statement of purpose. We exist to 'teach people how to say 'yes' to God's purpose for their lives!' When you know how to discern the will of God and live in the center of His plans - that is life lived to its richest potential!
So, we are committed to giving people the skills, the support, and the opportunity to say "yes!" We do it in many ways-
-the Sunday morning corporate worship experience that includes a teaching of the Word,
-in a Christian school that educates 150 children ranging in age from 2 to 13 in a Christ-centered setting,
-in a ministry to teens,
-in mid-week ministries to boys and girls,
-with material published on the Internet that reach out to the wider world,
-in specialized outreach such as prison and nursing home work,
-in compassionate ministries that provide tangible expressions of Christ's love, and
-in Sunday classes where small groups interact around the Scripture's truth, and with other unmentioned ministries, too!
Can a single pastor do all that? No way. A whole team of people make it happen! Leaders, lead. Singers, sing. Musicians, make music! Those with creative gifts, create! Teachers, teach! There are many with less public roles - changing light bulbs, printing literature, pushing a vacuum cleaners, driving mowers, running tech support, interceding in prayer, giving money... that are just as much a part of the work as I am, even though everybody sees me standing front and center on Sunday morning! The team is the greatest resource the church has, apart from the Spirit Himself.
Let me encourage you to find a place to serve God actively - whether in a 'recognized' ministry of the church or in some place in the community. If you want to be one of God's MVP's (Most Valuable Players) there are a few choices to be made.
-Know your service will be effective when you are equipped by the Spirit, not just because of your talents.
-God's glory is the issue, not your sense of accomplishment. Set aside any need to be recognized and/or rewarded.
-Play the position He puts you in without comparing yourself to others. He calls each of us to our place and our eternal reward is for faithfulness, not visibility.
-Serve humbly, doing your best while thanking God for the privilege of being on His team.
"You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same.
Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. . . . He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
No prolonged infancies among us, please. ... God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love." (Ephesians 4:4-16, The Message)
___________________
If your vision is for a year, cultivate wheat!
If your vision is for a decade, cultivate trees!
If your vision is for a lifetime, cultivate people!
Yesterday, I was taking an inventory, sorting through the resources that are available to me to accomplish the work that God has called the Assembly to do. Our church is currently wrestling with some fiscal issues that are a challenge. Prayerfully I thought - "What, if anything, am I supposed to do about this, Lord?" I am not very enthusiastic about doing the work of raising funds, but the need is too pressing to ignore, which pushed me over my reluctance. As I listed the Assembly's resources I saw the obvious- buildings, of which we have plenty. There are some monetary reserves on which to draw, but not nearly enough to bridge the looming gap. There is equity in our properties which might be tapped. Then, my thoughts shifted to people resources. God has assembled a great team, good men and women who care deeply about His work and the ministries of our church. In reflection it became more clear to me that my part in meeting this current challenge is not so much about raising funds as it is about cultivating the "people resources" that God has provided.
A church that is functioning as God intended is a team of dedicated people who give their time, their money, yes- themselves - to advance the Kingdom of God on earth. It is not a theatre where many gather to watch a few perform! It is a community where many are gifted, in dozens of ways, to work to bring about a mutual benefit, all for the glory of God. Our Assembly has a simple statement of purpose. We exist to 'teach people how to say 'yes' to God's purpose for their lives!' When you know how to discern the will of God and live in the center of His plans - that is life lived to its richest potential!
So, we are committed to giving people the skills, the support, and the opportunity to say "yes!" We do it in many ways-
-the Sunday morning corporate worship experience that includes a teaching of the Word,
-in a Christian school that educates 150 children ranging in age from 2 to 13 in a Christ-centered setting,
-in a ministry to teens,
-in mid-week ministries to boys and girls,
-with material published on the Internet that reach out to the wider world,
-in specialized outreach such as prison and nursing home work,
-in compassionate ministries that provide tangible expressions of Christ's love, and
-in Sunday classes where small groups interact around the Scripture's truth, and with other unmentioned ministries, too!
Can a single pastor do all that? No way. A whole team of people make it happen! Leaders, lead. Singers, sing. Musicians, make music! Those with creative gifts, create! Teachers, teach! There are many with less public roles - changing light bulbs, printing literature, pushing a vacuum cleaners, driving mowers, running tech support, interceding in prayer, giving money... that are just as much a part of the work as I am, even though everybody sees me standing front and center on Sunday morning! The team is the greatest resource the church has, apart from the Spirit Himself.
Let me encourage you to find a place to serve God actively - whether in a 'recognized' ministry of the church or in some place in the community. If you want to be one of God's MVP's (Most Valuable Players) there are a few choices to be made.
-Know your service will be effective when you are equipped by the Spirit, not just because of your talents.
-God's glory is the issue, not your sense of accomplishment. Set aside any need to be recognized and/or rewarded.
-Play the position He puts you in without comparing yourself to others. He calls each of us to our place and our eternal reward is for faithfulness, not visibility.
-Serve humbly, doing your best while thanking God for the privilege of being on His team.
"You were all called to travel on the same road and in the same direction, so stay together, both outwardly and inwardly. You have one Master, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who rules over all, works through all, and is present in all. Everything you are and think and do is permeated with Oneness. But that doesn’t mean you should all look and speak and act the same.
Out of the generosity of Christ, each of us is given his own gift. . . . He handed out gifts above and below, filled heaven with his gifts, filled earth with his gifts. He handed out gifts of apostle, prophet, evangelist, and pastor-teacher to train Christ’s followers in skilled servant work, working within Christ’s body, the church, until we’re all moving rhythmically and easily with each other, efficient and graceful in response to God’s Son, fully mature adults, fully developed within and without, fully alive like Christ.
No prolonged infancies among us, please. ... God wants us to grow up, to know the whole truth and tell it in love—like Christ in everything. We take our lead from Christ, who is the source of everything we do. He keeps us in step with each other. His very breath and blood flow through us, nourishing us so that we will grow up healthy in God, robust in love." (Ephesians 4:4-16, The Message)
___________________
Monday, November 12, 2007
Rain Down!
Who can explain the 'why' of worship, the combination of soul and Spirit that produce those amazingly wonderful moments when the Presence of God rains down on us? Yesterday in our prayer time at the Assembly, as I moved from person to person, anointing them and praying for them, He came near and spoke to me, not audibly, but so clearly in my heart - "I love you!" There are not words to describe the mystical experience. Inevitably in those moments, I weep! And so it was as I went to the pulpit to lead in Pastoral prayer. When I opened my mouth to offer praise, I could barely speak, filled up with emotion, eyes welling over with tears - not of sorrow - but because I was overshadowed by the Spirit, embraced by grace. God reaches into the depths of my being in such times and hits the reset switch, turning off the worry, erasing spiritual fatigue, re-centering me in His purposes.
I cannot, and I will not, claim that anything I did caused God to touch my heart as He did. However, I know that there are things that I can do that prepare my heart for the Spirit's work. Peter preaching to the people of Jerusalem in the early days of Christianity, pointed to those preparatory choices saying, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus." (Acts 3:19-20, NIV) A kind of desperation comes over me when I realize that I have, yet again, drifted into spiritual apathy, that I am living carelessly for the things of God. I confess that and turn my attention to Him, in prayer, in worship, cultivating a readiness to receive His grace. And, as I wait, He comes to me gently with His loving renewal.
The Christian life is a great deal like marriage! God, Himself, chose the marriage relationship to illustrate our relationship with Him, calling us the "bride of Christ." In nearly 33 years of being Bev's husband, I have experienced the ebb and flow of love many times. At times we are madly in love and at times we are cool towards each other. We have gone through seasons when we are focused on getting through a shift in our relationship that stresses the marriage. Then, recognizing that we are drifting, we give attention to each other and rediscover the wonder of being soul-mates. It took me a long time to learn to be an attentive husband. As a young man, working at providing for my family, establishing 'my place' in this world, and dealing with my own immaturity, I was not nearly as sensitive to her as I needed to be. Not only did my apathy about our relationship rob her of joy, it also kept me from knowing the profound oneness of heart that is such a source of joy at this stage of our life together. And yet, even today, I am sometimes distracted from loving her by the little things of daily life. How like my walk with God. I know better, but I lose focus on Who He is, What He's done, and Why I exist. But, the promise of knowing His loving Presence, draws me to repentance and renewal.
God wants our hearts, our complete attention. He is unimpressed with all our wonderful work, with our reputation, or with our accumulation of awards. He just wants us to love Him, to focus on Him, to listen to Him, to walk with Him. When we do, He rains down those 'times of refreshing' on us! That doesn't mean that all the difficulties in our lives disappear. I awakened to a whole set of challenges that I will wrestle with this week. I am still very much in this world! But, I am renewed, strengthened to deal with the demands from a place of peace.
Believer, have you drifted into apathy towards Him?
Has a preoccupation with your business, diversions, financial matters, family, or even 'ministry,' distracted you from knowing the love of God?
Here's a promise of the Word. Take it to heart and prepare for 'times of refreshing.'
"I cried out to You, O Lord; And to the Lord I made supplication:
"What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth?
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!"
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." (Psalm 30:8-12, NKJV)
_____________________________
Looks like tonight, the sky is heavy,
Feels like the winds are gonna change
Beneath my feet, the earth is ready,
I know its time for heaven's rain,
it's gonna rain
‘Cause it's living water we desire to flood our hearts with holy fire
Rain down - all around the world we're singing,
Rain down - can you heart the earth is singing?
Rain down- my heart is dry but still I'm singing
Rain down, rain it down.
Back to the start, my heart is heavy
Feels like it's time, to dream again
I see the clouds, and yes I'm ready
To dance upon this barren land, hope in my hands
Do not shut, Do not shut, Do not shut the heavens
But open up, open up, open up our hearts
Give me strength to cross this water
Keep my heart upon your altar (Rain down)
Give me strength to cross this water
Keep my feet don’t let me falter (Rain down)
Rain Down
Words and Music by Martin Smith/Stuart Garrard ©2003 Curious? Music UK
I cannot, and I will not, claim that anything I did caused God to touch my heart as He did. However, I know that there are things that I can do that prepare my heart for the Spirit's work. Peter preaching to the people of Jerusalem in the early days of Christianity, pointed to those preparatory choices saying, "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you—even Jesus." (Acts 3:19-20, NIV) A kind of desperation comes over me when I realize that I have, yet again, drifted into spiritual apathy, that I am living carelessly for the things of God. I confess that and turn my attention to Him, in prayer, in worship, cultivating a readiness to receive His grace. And, as I wait, He comes to me gently with His loving renewal.
The Christian life is a great deal like marriage! God, Himself, chose the marriage relationship to illustrate our relationship with Him, calling us the "bride of Christ." In nearly 33 years of being Bev's husband, I have experienced the ebb and flow of love many times. At times we are madly in love and at times we are cool towards each other. We have gone through seasons when we are focused on getting through a shift in our relationship that stresses the marriage. Then, recognizing that we are drifting, we give attention to each other and rediscover the wonder of being soul-mates. It took me a long time to learn to be an attentive husband. As a young man, working at providing for my family, establishing 'my place' in this world, and dealing with my own immaturity, I was not nearly as sensitive to her as I needed to be. Not only did my apathy about our relationship rob her of joy, it also kept me from knowing the profound oneness of heart that is such a source of joy at this stage of our life together. And yet, even today, I am sometimes distracted from loving her by the little things of daily life. How like my walk with God. I know better, but I lose focus on Who He is, What He's done, and Why I exist. But, the promise of knowing His loving Presence, draws me to repentance and renewal.
God wants our hearts, our complete attention. He is unimpressed with all our wonderful work, with our reputation, or with our accumulation of awards. He just wants us to love Him, to focus on Him, to listen to Him, to walk with Him. When we do, He rains down those 'times of refreshing' on us! That doesn't mean that all the difficulties in our lives disappear. I awakened to a whole set of challenges that I will wrestle with this week. I am still very much in this world! But, I am renewed, strengthened to deal with the demands from a place of peace.
Believer, have you drifted into apathy towards Him?
Has a preoccupation with your business, diversions, financial matters, family, or even 'ministry,' distracted you from knowing the love of God?
Here's a promise of the Word. Take it to heart and prepare for 'times of refreshing.'
"I cried out to You, O Lord; And to the Lord I made supplication:
"What profit is there in my blood, When I go down to the pit?
Will the dust praise You? Will it declare Your truth?
Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me; Lord, be my helper!"
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;
You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness,
To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give thanks to You forever." (Psalm 30:8-12, NKJV)
_____________________________
Looks like tonight, the sky is heavy,
Feels like the winds are gonna change
Beneath my feet, the earth is ready,
I know its time for heaven's rain,
it's gonna rain
‘Cause it's living water we desire to flood our hearts with holy fire
Rain down - all around the world we're singing,
Rain down - can you heart the earth is singing?
Rain down- my heart is dry but still I'm singing
Rain down, rain it down.
Back to the start, my heart is heavy
Feels like it's time, to dream again
I see the clouds, and yes I'm ready
To dance upon this barren land, hope in my hands
Do not shut, Do not shut, Do not shut the heavens
But open up, open up, open up our hearts
Give me strength to cross this water
Keep my heart upon your altar (Rain down)
Give me strength to cross this water
Keep my feet don’t let me falter (Rain down)
Rain Down
Words and Music by Martin Smith/Stuart Garrard ©2003 Curious? Music UK
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