How my will and God's will intersect is not always crystal clear for me. Bev and I were talking about some life-changing decisions we've made in the past; accepting new positions, relocating to a different church. What part did God's will play in those choices and what part did we play? Even the two of us who shared in those decisions saw them differently. At various times one of us saw God leading, while the other viewed the choice as human will in operation! One move from long ago she labeled 'impulsive,' on my part, while I called it an obedient response to God's leading. To a degree, we both are right. How can I say that? Because I am convinced that both of the following statements are true despite the apparent contradiction: God rules the affairs of my life; and I have the freedom to cooperate or resist His will.
The story of Mary, mother of Jesus, illustrates the point. God sends his messenger to tell her of His plan that she should bear the Savior of the world. Could she have refused this calling? The Scripture implies that she had that power. Here's an excerpt of the story. "The angel went to her and said, "Greetings, you who are highly favored! The Lord is with you." ... the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. You will be with child and give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Jesus." (Luke 1:28-31, NIV) "I am the Lord’s servant," Mary answered. "May it be to me as you have said." Then the angel left her." (Luke 1:38, NIV)
God opened the door to an impossibility; Mary stepped through it. Her obedience to the plan of the Lord was difficult and raised questions for which she had no answer. When her Son was born and shepherds showed up to tell of angels' in the skies announcing that a "Savior has been born to you,: she heard them and "kept thinking about all this and wondering what it meant." (Luke 2:19, CEV)
Believer, if we wait until we have all the answers, until we have plotted the whole course from start to finish, before we engage ourselves to do the will of God, we will accomplish little for Him in this life! Sometimes all He gives us is the promise of His Presence to guide and an open door! Like Mary, we need to humbly say, "I am the Lord's servant!" and step through the door. Some will say we have been impulsive. Others will see us as bold. Some will call us foolish, while others will praise God for our vision! All of that matters little if we are living in humble obedience, seeking to know and do His will from day to day. Are you?
The life of the Spirit-led individual is an adventure. I am not advocating stupidity, arrogance, or irresponsibility. I am not suggesting that any of us should refuse to be accountable to those who offer wise counsel to us. But, we must be ready to hear Heaven's call and to respond readily. Humility is the key. If we detect even the tiniest amount of grandiosity, even the smallest amount of an attitude that says, "I'll show you," we need to throw on the brakes and get our heart right before God. Mary had no need to become famous, no need to be the Messiah's mother, no need to try to impress God. She was just a peasant girl in Nazareth when God came to her and opened a door of unbelievable opportunity and she said, "Yes!"
Here's a word from the Word to ponder today.
"These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." (Revelation 3:7-8, NIV)
_______________
I've a yearning in my heart
that cannot be denied.
It's a longing that has never yet
been satisfied.
I want the world to know
the One who loves them so,
Like a flame it's burning
deep inside.
To be used of God,
to sing, to speak, to pray.
To be used of God,
to show someone the Way.I long so much,
to feel the touch
of His consuming fire.
To be used of God
is my desire.
When I think about the shortness
of my earthly years.
I remember all the wasted days,
the wasted tears.I long to preach the Word,
to those who've never heard,
of the One who can dispel all fears.
To Be Used of God
Audrey Meier© 1954 Manna Music, Inc.
ARR UBP of Manna Music, Inc. (35255 Brooten Road, Pacific City, OR 97135)
CCLI License No. 810055
Friday, November 30, 2007
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Where is the Church?
In the Nov./Dec. 2007 issue of Worship Leader, Bebo Norman writes about Gary Haugen, founder of IJM (Int'l Justice Mission), an organization that fights injustice among the poorest of the world. This Christian group grapples with human depravity at its worst. Human slavery and sex trafficking of children are just two of the ugly practices they try to end in the name of Jesus. Back in 1994, Haugen was asked to part of the United Nations inquiry in Rwanda. Haugen's assignment was grim. In a nation where more than a million people were hacked to death by their neighbors using machetes, he was asked to dig up mass graves and sort through piles of body parts in stadiums around that nation to try to arrive at an accurate estimate of the number of deaths that resulted from this outpouring of hatred! Most of us would collapse under the weight of such an horrific assignment, probably whining and blaming God by asking, "Where were You?" Gary Haugen asks an entirely different, and much more useful, question: "Where were God's people?"
I fear many of us have asked God for easy assignments, far from the front lines. God's people are often missing in action at critical moments when evil might be turned aside, when sin threatens to overwhelm yet another life, neighborhood, or nation! How many pray or, at least think, something like this - "I will serve you, Lord, but only where it requires minimal inconvenience and little sacrifice in terms of my autonomy and lifestyle."
Have you ever considered any of the following....
...Going to live in an urban center of America that are torn apart by violence, drugs, and poverty to be a light for Christ and His Gospel?
...Staffing a missions outreach in lonely, hard post in a developing nations?
...Taking on a ministry call to teach kids, feed the poor, visit those who are elderly and lonely, or lead a prison Bible Study?
...Getting up regularly to pray for the world at 4:30 AM?
...Encouraging your kids to accept a call to full-time Christian ministry as a pastor or teacher despite the sacrifice that comes with that vocation?
If not, why not?
Have you preserved your own comfort and offered to serve, but only at your convenience?
Jesus issued an 'in your face' challenge, words that we usually either ignore or soften, but that deserve our full attention. He said, "If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What would you give to get back your soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26, CEV) That's not Mommy-talk! That's drill sergeant growl! The Lord of Glory wants us to realize that the stakes are huge. The destiny of your family, your church, your town, your nation; yes, the world - depends on the Church (you and me) standing up and reporting for duty.
Andy Stanley teaches that real and passionate visions develop in four stages:
1. Defining the Problem.
2. Outlining a Solution.
3. Determining the Reason something must be done.
4. Deciding to do something now!
The problem is that evil is on the rampage, destroying lives, and deluding people to march straight for Hell.
The solution is the message of the Gospel, that Christ Jesus has defeated evil and opened the way to eternal life.
If we don't step up, a generation will be lost, our generation!
So, "knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11, NKJV)
When you decide to answer the call, watch out that you're not diverted into the sub-culture of evangelical Christianity that is so consumed with preserving a certain kind of lifestyle! Jesus did not die on the Cross to make us all Republicans so we could pay lower taxes and fight bloated government spending! Our mission is one of justice, mercy, and compassion. We are advocates of the poor, liberators of those enslaved by sin, and priests of the living God who are sent to bring healing to the nations.
Get desperate! Get serious! Let's show up and, by the power of the Spirit, let's make a difference in our generation.
____________________________
I fear many of us have asked God for easy assignments, far from the front lines. God's people are often missing in action at critical moments when evil might be turned aside, when sin threatens to overwhelm yet another life, neighborhood, or nation! How many pray or, at least think, something like this - "I will serve you, Lord, but only where it requires minimal inconvenience and little sacrifice in terms of my autonomy and lifestyle."
Have you ever considered any of the following....
...Going to live in an urban center of America that are torn apart by violence, drugs, and poverty to be a light for Christ and His Gospel?
...Staffing a missions outreach in lonely, hard post in a developing nations?
...Taking on a ministry call to teach kids, feed the poor, visit those who are elderly and lonely, or lead a prison Bible Study?
...Getting up regularly to pray for the world at 4:30 AM?
...Encouraging your kids to accept a call to full-time Christian ministry as a pastor or teacher despite the sacrifice that comes with that vocation?
If not, why not?
Have you preserved your own comfort and offered to serve, but only at your convenience?
Jesus issued an 'in your face' challenge, words that we usually either ignore or soften, but that deserve our full attention. He said, "If any of you want to be my followers, you must forget about yourself. You must take up your cross and follow me. If you want to save your life, you will destroy it. But if you give up your life for me, you will find it. What will you gain, if you own the whole world but destroy yourself? What would you give to get back your soul?" (Matthew 16:24-26, CEV) That's not Mommy-talk! That's drill sergeant growl! The Lord of Glory wants us to realize that the stakes are huge. The destiny of your family, your church, your town, your nation; yes, the world - depends on the Church (you and me) standing up and reporting for duty.
Andy Stanley teaches that real and passionate visions develop in four stages:
1. Defining the Problem.
2. Outlining a Solution.
3. Determining the Reason something must be done.
4. Deciding to do something now!
The problem is that evil is on the rampage, destroying lives, and deluding people to march straight for Hell.
The solution is the message of the Gospel, that Christ Jesus has defeated evil and opened the way to eternal life.
If we don't step up, a generation will be lost, our generation!
So, "knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now our salvation is nearer than when we first believed." (Romans 13:11, NKJV)
When you decide to answer the call, watch out that you're not diverted into the sub-culture of evangelical Christianity that is so consumed with preserving a certain kind of lifestyle! Jesus did not die on the Cross to make us all Republicans so we could pay lower taxes and fight bloated government spending! Our mission is one of justice, mercy, and compassion. We are advocates of the poor, liberators of those enslaved by sin, and priests of the living God who are sent to bring healing to the nations.
Get desperate! Get serious! Let's show up and, by the power of the Spirit, let's make a difference in our generation.
____________________________
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Who said it should be easy?
People with purpose commit themselves to a way of life that goes against the flow! Things left to themselves quickly deteriorate, don't they? As I write, I'm looking out on my little half acre lawn. It requires constant attention to be kept attractive. Today there are leaves scattered across the grass, waiting for me to rake and mulch them. Come Springtime, weeds will invade if I do not put down the proper herbicides. Then, the grass will need a weekly mowing. It's not just the lawn that needs to be maintained. Organizations fall into ineffectiveness without constant leadership. The church that I lead presents new challenges for my pastoral leadership almost everyday! Our President called together leaders from Middle East nations yesterday. Why? Peace, or what passes for it in that hotspot of the world, requires nurturing, arm-twisting, and negotiation under pressure. Even nations left to the natural course of things do not tend to peaceful relations, but rather to the chaos of war!
Why is the course of nature towards disintegration without intervention and work? The Bible explains it with these words in Genesis. God said, "Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made." (Genesis 3:17-19, NLT)
Evil is a virus infecting every relationship, every organization, everything in this Creation. Unchecked evil destroys the best and causes the worst to emerge.
Why does a good God allow evil to continue to wreak havoc in this world? That is the question of the ages, for which we have only incomplete answers. But this we know: He calls people to Himself through Christ, gives them the power and gifts of the Spirit, and commissions them to do the work of reversing the Curse of evil! Wherever Believers faithfully do the work of God, good follows. The suffering of sin is defeated by the proclamation of the Good News that Christ is Lord of all, by the diligence of those who throw themselves into the battle against evil in all of its awful expressions.
It is no easy task, nor is it done once. Only the work of the Cross is finished, complete for all time. The work of setting the world right is ongoing, a task in which we renew our efforts daily. Yesterday's victories are challenged by new demons, new conflicts, new weeds growing in our world today.
Does that all sound exhausting? It can be if we attempt to wage the war in our own strength and by our own wits! That is why the Scripture reminds us to suit up for battle. "God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.... Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet." (Ephesians 6:10-11, 13, The Message)
Taking up the call of God is not for cowards, lazy people, or those looking for an easy road. It is a way of struggle and sacrifice. And, it is a high and holy calling that brings rich reward in this world and in the age to come. God needs a few good men. (That term, dear sisters, is generic!) Will you be one of His mighty men, one of those who resists evil and builds the kingdom of righteousness?
Here's a word of encouragement from the Word. "...you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." (1 Corinthians 1:7-9, NIV)
_______________________
What this dying world could use,
Is a willing man of God.
Who dares to go against the grain,
And work without applause.
A man who'll raise the shield of faith,
Protecting what is pure.
Whose love is tough and gentle,
A man whose word is sure.
Men full of compassion,
Who laugh and love and cry.
Men who'll face eternity,
And aren't afraid to die.
Men who'll fight for freedom,
And honor once again.
He just needs a few good men.
God doesn't need an orator,
Who knows just what to say.
He doesn't need authorities,
To reason Him away.
He doesn't need an army,
To guarantee a win;
He just needs a few good men.
A Few Good Men
Jennings © 1990 Townsend and Warbucks Music ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management
CCLI License No. 810055
Why is the course of nature towards disintegration without intervention and work? The Bible explains it with these words in Genesis. God said, "Since you listened to your wife and ate from the tree whose fruit I commanded you not to eat, the ground is cursed because of you. All your life you will struggle to scratch a living from it. It will grow thorns and thistles for you, though you will eat of its grains. By the sweat of your brow will you have food to eat until you return to the ground from which you were made." (Genesis 3:17-19, NLT)
Evil is a virus infecting every relationship, every organization, everything in this Creation. Unchecked evil destroys the best and causes the worst to emerge.
Why does a good God allow evil to continue to wreak havoc in this world? That is the question of the ages, for which we have only incomplete answers. But this we know: He calls people to Himself through Christ, gives them the power and gifts of the Spirit, and commissions them to do the work of reversing the Curse of evil! Wherever Believers faithfully do the work of God, good follows. The suffering of sin is defeated by the proclamation of the Good News that Christ is Lord of all, by the diligence of those who throw themselves into the battle against evil in all of its awful expressions.
It is no easy task, nor is it done once. Only the work of the Cross is finished, complete for all time. The work of setting the world right is ongoing, a task in which we renew our efforts daily. Yesterday's victories are challenged by new demons, new conflicts, new weeds growing in our world today.
Does that all sound exhausting? It can be if we attempt to wage the war in our own strength and by our own wits! That is why the Scripture reminds us to suit up for battle. "God is strong, and he wants you strong. So take everything the Master has set out for you, well-made weapons of the best materials. And put them to use so you will be able to stand up to everything the Devil throws your way.... Be prepared. You’re up against far more than you can handle on your own. Take all the help you can get, every weapon God has issued, so that when it’s all over but the shouting you’ll still be on your feet." (Ephesians 6:10-11, 13, The Message)
Taking up the call of God is not for cowards, lazy people, or those looking for an easy road. It is a way of struggle and sacrifice. And, it is a high and holy calling that brings rich reward in this world and in the age to come. God needs a few good men. (That term, dear sisters, is generic!) Will you be one of His mighty men, one of those who resists evil and builds the kingdom of righteousness?
Here's a word of encouragement from the Word. "...you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. He will keep you strong to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. God, who has called you into fellowship with his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, is faithful." (1 Corinthians 1:7-9, NIV)
_______________________
What this dying world could use,
Is a willing man of God.
Who dares to go against the grain,
And work without applause.
A man who'll raise the shield of faith,
Protecting what is pure.
Whose love is tough and gentle,
A man whose word is sure.
Men full of compassion,
Who laugh and love and cry.
Men who'll face eternity,
And aren't afraid to die.
Men who'll fight for freedom,
And honor once again.
He just needs a few good men.
God doesn't need an orator,
Who knows just what to say.
He doesn't need authorities,
To reason Him away.
He doesn't need an army,
To guarantee a win;
He just needs a few good men.
A Few Good Men
Jennings © 1990 Townsend and Warbucks Music ARR UBP of Gaither Copyright Management
CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, November 27, 2007
A Redeemer Kinsman?
The question is an obsession for me: "How does a Christian maintain a distinctly God-honoring life while being effective in his calling to influence his friends, family, and community?"
Some Believers I know are so immersed in their world and culture, that their Christianity is all but invisible! They are materialistic consumers, obsessed with their status and things, doing little (at least that I can see) to advance the cause of Christ. They can sing all the current tunes and discuss the latest movie, but have little to say about what the Spirit is saying to them through the Scripture, of which they know little or nothing. Others choose to live so separately, that they are out of touch and irrelevant, incapable of having a meaningful conversation with anyone who is not 'on the inside' with them! They can win a Bible Trivia quiz anytime, but they don't build any bridges from the Church to the world and fail miserably as articulate communicators of the Gospel. Each side claims its own proof texts from the Bible. Those who are 'relevant,' point to Jesus' words about being 'salt and light,' and not putting a covering over their light so it can shine. Those who are separatists point to the verse that says, "Touch no unclean thing... come out from among them and be holy!"
As usual in my moderate stance, I am in the middle! Those who completely withdraw from the world of which they are a part miss out on many opportunities to do God's work in that world. Without recognizing it, they become hypocritical. They take advantage of the education, the technologies, and the medical knowledge that others who they look down on as less 'spiritual' produce; but refuse to make their own contribution to the processes that bring those advances. Those who are engaged with their world, risk being swallowed by it! Many who have stepped outside of the safety of the 'church' culture in an attempt to bring Christ to the world lose their footing and fall headlong into the muck they hoped to clean up.
My early Christian experience was primarily expressed in a separatist mode. My attitude towards 'the world' was one of contempt. I regarded it as destined for destruction and said, "It's all gonna burn, so let it go to Hell." In one sense I was right. The Scripture is very clear about the temporary nature of the present order of things teaching us that "the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment." (2 Peter 3:10, NLT) Repeatedly the Bible warns about being seduced by the world that is passing away, about loving things that we cannot carry into Eternity.
However, (you knew that was coming, didn't you?).... the Believer is to be redemptive, not dismissive, in his stance towards the world! That word, redemptive, comes from the institution of slavery. A person who fell into debt because of mismanagement or misfortune, could be seized, along with his family, and forced into servitude to his creditors. A wretched existence resulted. But the extended family could gather resources to satisfy the creditors claims and 'redeem' their kinsman from servitude, restoring his freedom. That person was called a redeemer kinsman. (For a wonderful story about this, see the short book of Ruth. Boaz became her redeemer kinsman!)
Our model in our relationship with the world around us is Jesus Christ Himself, "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:14, NIV) In this Season of Advent, we remember that He was willing to leave His place in Heaven, to become fully human, to suffer temptation, deprivation, and rejection to -- yes, become our Redeemer! His death on the Cross was not for His benefit, but for ours. His Incarnation was not for His own reputation, but so that He could become our Priest, creating a bridge from God to fallen humanity.
So, Jude tells us to "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." (Jude 22-23, NIV) And how do we do this without losing ourselves to the world?
Answer that as you ponder this word from the Word today.
"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.... To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude 20-21, 24-25, NIV)
Go, in the power of the Spirit, and be REDEMPTIVE to someone today!
Some Believers I know are so immersed in their world and culture, that their Christianity is all but invisible! They are materialistic consumers, obsessed with their status and things, doing little (at least that I can see) to advance the cause of Christ. They can sing all the current tunes and discuss the latest movie, but have little to say about what the Spirit is saying to them through the Scripture, of which they know little or nothing. Others choose to live so separately, that they are out of touch and irrelevant, incapable of having a meaningful conversation with anyone who is not 'on the inside' with them! They can win a Bible Trivia quiz anytime, but they don't build any bridges from the Church to the world and fail miserably as articulate communicators of the Gospel. Each side claims its own proof texts from the Bible. Those who are 'relevant,' point to Jesus' words about being 'salt and light,' and not putting a covering over their light so it can shine. Those who are separatists point to the verse that says, "Touch no unclean thing... come out from among them and be holy!"
As usual in my moderate stance, I am in the middle! Those who completely withdraw from the world of which they are a part miss out on many opportunities to do God's work in that world. Without recognizing it, they become hypocritical. They take advantage of the education, the technologies, and the medical knowledge that others who they look down on as less 'spiritual' produce; but refuse to make their own contribution to the processes that bring those advances. Those who are engaged with their world, risk being swallowed by it! Many who have stepped outside of the safety of the 'church' culture in an attempt to bring Christ to the world lose their footing and fall headlong into the muck they hoped to clean up.
My early Christian experience was primarily expressed in a separatist mode. My attitude towards 'the world' was one of contempt. I regarded it as destined for destruction and said, "It's all gonna burn, so let it go to Hell." In one sense I was right. The Scripture is very clear about the temporary nature of the present order of things teaching us that "the day of the Lord will come as unexpectedly as a thief. Then the heavens will pass away with a terrible noise, and the very elements themselves will disappear in fire, and the earth and everything on it will be found to deserve judgment." (2 Peter 3:10, NLT) Repeatedly the Bible warns about being seduced by the world that is passing away, about loving things that we cannot carry into Eternity.
However, (you knew that was coming, didn't you?).... the Believer is to be redemptive, not dismissive, in his stance towards the world! That word, redemptive, comes from the institution of slavery. A person who fell into debt because of mismanagement or misfortune, could be seized, along with his family, and forced into servitude to his creditors. A wretched existence resulted. But the extended family could gather resources to satisfy the creditors claims and 'redeem' their kinsman from servitude, restoring his freedom. That person was called a redeemer kinsman. (For a wonderful story about this, see the short book of Ruth. Boaz became her redeemer kinsman!)
Our model in our relationship with the world around us is Jesus Christ Himself, "who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good." (Titus 2:14, NIV) In this Season of Advent, we remember that He was willing to leave His place in Heaven, to become fully human, to suffer temptation, deprivation, and rejection to -- yes, become our Redeemer! His death on the Cross was not for His benefit, but for ours. His Incarnation was not for His own reputation, but so that He could become our Priest, creating a bridge from God to fallen humanity.
So, Jude tells us to "Be merciful to those who doubt; snatch others from the fire and save them; to others show mercy, mixed with fear—hating even the clothing stained by corrupted flesh." (Jude 22-23, NIV) And how do we do this without losing ourselves to the world?
Answer that as you ponder this word from the Word today.
"But you, dear friends, build yourselves up in your most holy faith and pray in the Holy Spirit. Keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.... To him who is able to keep you from falling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy— to the only God our Savior be glory, majesty, power and authority, through Jesus Christ our Lord, before all ages, now and forevermore! Amen." (Jude 20-21, 24-25, NIV)
Go, in the power of the Spirit, and be REDEMPTIVE to someone today!
Monday, November 26, 2007
You Gotta Have Heart
The marriage was in trouble. She was finished, she said, no longer willing to play second fiddle to his car, his friends, his sports, the TV, the kids, and his job. As we talked I found that he never forgot their anniversary, showed up with flowers from time to time, and paid the bills. But through her tears she explained that she could not recall a conversation about their shared dreams, about their hopes, about what love meant to him. "I feel," she said, "like another of his investments!" Many is the husband who is mystified by that kind statement. "What does she want?" he asks angrily. "I pay the bills, provide well for our family. Isn't that enough?" If a couple wants a marriage with intimacy, that goes the distance, and is fresh and alive well into old age, it isn't!
Great marriages include the heart, too! We all want to be loved for more than for what do. We want to be desired, to be valued for who we are! In my own marriage, I want that kind of love with Bev, too. Sure, I appreciate her part in making our home function, but I also want that kind of connection that lets our eyes meet from opposite sides of a room full of people and communicate "I love you!" I want to know her well enough be able to finish her thoughts.
Jesus wants us to love Him in that way, too. He wants more than our tithe, more than our regular attendance at church, more than our dutiful Bible reading, or 'Lord, bless my day,' functional prayers. He wants our hearts, to be the Center of Life. Heartless Christianity is all too common in my opinion. Sincere Believers do all the right things and have an orthodox confession, but their hearts are full of the 'other stuff' of life. You may find His words harsh, but they are true. Take a look. "...at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’ " (Matthew 7:22-23, The Message)
The prophet Isaiah indicted the people of God with a similar judgment. "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." (Isaiah 29:13, NIV)
So, what does 'heart' look like? Maybe you're like that husband who wondered, "What more does she want anyway?" You point to the things you do for God, or at least you think you're doing them for Him. Consider that you may, in fact, be acting from very selfish motives! Your 'acts of worship' may be more about keeping up appearances or staying on God's good side than real passion!
Heart deep devotion to God is a love that informs daily choices, that draws us into prayerful reflection often through the day, and that gives us eyes that see God at work, even in the small things. It keeps us from chasing the illusions of happiness that the Tempter dangle in front of us. It makes us authentic and preserves us from shallow religion. If we love the Lord with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength we will take great care not to offend Him with careless or sinful choices, not just to avoid judgment, but because causing Him to be disappointed brings us terrible pain. Keeping this love alive requires daily attentiveness just like keeping a marriage fresh requires constant communication. If we want to love Him from the heart, we will have to wrestle with Him, seeking to know His will, listening to discover His plan, and working through the surprises that make us wonder if He cares! Yes, even those who love Jesus Christ with their whole heart find themselves angry and/or disappointed from time to time. But, they don't turn to another lover in that moment. Instead, they pursue Him, wait on Him.
Passionate Christianity will produce a person of amazing depth of character. The Bible says that they will have the fruit of the Spirit in abundant evidence - that being, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV) Don't confuse great works, big ministries, or long, windy prayers with passion for Jesus. Don't confuse effusive emotionalism with love for Him, either.
Look for love's evidence. "If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.... Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.... Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT)
________________________
My eyes are dry, my faith is old,
My heart is hard, my prayers are cold;
And I know how I ought to be:
Alive to You and dead to me.
But what can be done
With an old heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine!
The oil is You, the Spirit of love.
Please wash me anew
In the wine of Your blood.
My Eyes Are Dry
Keith Green © 1978 Birdwing Music
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) / Ears To Hear ΓΌ / BMG Songs, Inc.
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)CCLI License No. 810055
Great marriages include the heart, too! We all want to be loved for more than for what do. We want to be desired, to be valued for who we are! In my own marriage, I want that kind of love with Bev, too. Sure, I appreciate her part in making our home function, but I also want that kind of connection that lets our eyes meet from opposite sides of a room full of people and communicate "I love you!" I want to know her well enough be able to finish her thoughts.
Jesus wants us to love Him in that way, too. He wants more than our tithe, more than our regular attendance at church, more than our dutiful Bible reading, or 'Lord, bless my day,' functional prayers. He wants our hearts, to be the Center of Life. Heartless Christianity is all too common in my opinion. Sincere Believers do all the right things and have an orthodox confession, but their hearts are full of the 'other stuff' of life. You may find His words harsh, but they are true. Take a look. "...at the Final Judgment thousands strutting up to me and saying, ‘Master, we preached the Message, we bashed the demons, our God-sponsored projects had everyone talking.’ And do you know what I am going to say? ‘You missed the boat. All you did was use me to make yourselves important. You don’t impress me one bit. You’re out of here.’ " (Matthew 7:22-23, The Message)
The prophet Isaiah indicted the people of God with a similar judgment. "These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men." (Isaiah 29:13, NIV)
So, what does 'heart' look like? Maybe you're like that husband who wondered, "What more does she want anyway?" You point to the things you do for God, or at least you think you're doing them for Him. Consider that you may, in fact, be acting from very selfish motives! Your 'acts of worship' may be more about keeping up appearances or staying on God's good side than real passion!
Heart deep devotion to God is a love that informs daily choices, that draws us into prayerful reflection often through the day, and that gives us eyes that see God at work, even in the small things. It keeps us from chasing the illusions of happiness that the Tempter dangle in front of us. It makes us authentic and preserves us from shallow religion. If we love the Lord with our whole heart, soul, mind, and strength we will take great care not to offend Him with careless or sinful choices, not just to avoid judgment, but because causing Him to be disappointed brings us terrible pain. Keeping this love alive requires daily attentiveness just like keeping a marriage fresh requires constant communication. If we want to love Him from the heart, we will have to wrestle with Him, seeking to know His will, listening to discover His plan, and working through the surprises that make us wonder if He cares! Yes, even those who love Jesus Christ with their whole heart find themselves angry and/or disappointed from time to time. But, they don't turn to another lover in that moment. Instead, they pursue Him, wait on Him.
Passionate Christianity will produce a person of amazing depth of character. The Bible says that they will have the fruit of the Spirit in abundant evidence - that being, "love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (Galatians 5:22-23, NIV) Don't confuse great works, big ministries, or long, windy prayers with passion for Jesus. Don't confuse effusive emotionalism with love for Him, either.
Look for love's evidence. "If I could speak all the languages of earth and of angels, but didn’t love others, I would only be a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal.... Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.... Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT)
________________________
My eyes are dry, my faith is old,
My heart is hard, my prayers are cold;
And I know how I ought to be:
Alive to You and dead to me.
But what can be done
With an old heart like mine?
Soften it up with oil and wine!
The oil is You, the Spirit of love.
Please wash me anew
In the wine of Your blood.
My Eyes Are Dry
Keith Green © 1978 Birdwing Music
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing) / Ears To Hear ΓΌ / BMG Songs, Inc.
(Admin. by EMI Christian Music Publishing; Admin. by BMG Music Publishing)CCLI License No. 810055
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