Fraud abounds on the Internet! Just about daily, I get emails that tell me that Mrs. Woeful's husband died leaving her with $25 million and that if I will just send her my name, address, phone, and bank account information, she will send me $2 million of her money.... Right! Recently emails have started showing up that tell me I have won a large sum of money in a Microsoft drawing in Europe. It goes on to list a contact and to request the same data. Those fakes are easy to spot and get deleted with a quick click. The ones that are less obviously fraudulent are the ones that use real logos from places like EBay or PayPal or my bank. Invariably those emails tell me that my account has been compromised and that I need to log in to confirm my password, or something like that. If a person clicks the link in these so-called 'fishing' emails the crook gains access to the real account when he records login information!
Do you know that religious frauds exists as well? Some of them are obvious and I wonder how anybody could be taken in by the outlandishly ridiculous claims. Remember the guy from Puerto Rico who appeared on the news last year, who claims to be Jesus Christ on earth now? He hangs out with a bevy of beautiful young women, sips expensive whiskey, and has a criminal record and still there are thousands of people who follow him, who give millions of dollars to him, and who tragically think that he is showing them the way to eternal life. Much less obviously fraudulent are those 'churches' that emphasis morally upright lives, that preach a message of service and selflessness, but where the Cross of Christ is replaced by human effort! They use many of the right words and even the symbols of Christianity, but substitute mere goodness for the true righteousness of Christ. It's an old lie that has been around since the first generation of the Church.
The Scripture warns about this empty form of religiosity. Read on!
"God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins. He canceled the record of the charges against us and took it away by nailing it to the cross. In this way, he disarmed the spiritual rulers and authorities. He shamed them publicly by his victory over them on the cross. So don’t let anyone condemn you for what you eat or drink, or for not celebrating certain holy days or new moon ceremonies or Sabbaths. For these rules are only shadows of the reality yet to come. And Christ himself is that reality. Don’t let anyone condemn you by insisting on pious self-denial or the worship of angels, saying they have had visions about these things. Their sinful minds have made them proud, and they are not connected to Christ, the head of the body.
For he holds the whole body together with its joints and ligaments, and it grows as God nourishes it. You have died with Christ, and he has set you free from the spiritual powers of this world. So why do you keep on following the rules of the world, such as, "Don’t handle! Don’t taste! Don’t touch!"? Such rules are mere human teachings about things that deteriorate as we use them.
These rules may seem wise because they require strong devotion, pious self-denial, and severe bodily discipline. But they provide no help in conquering a person’s evil desires. Since you have been raised to new life with Christ, set your sights on the realities of heaven, where Christ sits in the place of honor at God’s right hand. Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." (Colossians 2:13-3:2, NLT)
How easily sincere people are taken in by the lie, "you can earn God's approval." Many make herculean efforts to be 'righteous.' They build a solid record of church attendance, kindness, and even self-denial in the vain hope of being good enough to merit Heaven. Jesus says that without a transformation of the spirit-man, which only happens through faith by the act of the Holy Spirit, any effort on our part to become holy, is like a new paint job on a mausoleum. The outside may shine brightly, but the inside is still full of death.
The amazing, wonderful, absolute Truth is that "God made you alive with Christ." Believe it, receive Him, and you gain 'imputed righteousness.' That's a theological way of saying that God will give you full acceptance as His child at Jesus Christ's expense. A holy life that results from this change is accompanied by joy and real delight in doing the will of God. From a distance a merely good person and a Spirit-filled holy person look much the same. Up close, there is an undeniable quality of love, of devotion, of integrity, and yes; of Life that refreshes, in the one with the new heart. Accept no substitutes for the true Gospel - the Good News of Jesus Christ who died and who lives to save us completely from our sin.
Here is a familiar passage. Read it again, with faith. Ponder the scandalous and wonderful truth of God's amazing grace as you remember these words.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them." (Ephesians 2:8-10, NKJV)
_________________
I stand amazed in the Presence
of Jesus, the Nazarene,
and wonder how He could love me,
a sinner, condemned, unclean.
He took my sins and my sorrows,
and made them His very own.
He bore the burden to Calvary,
where He suffered and died alone.
When with the ransomed in glory,
His face at last I'll see,
will be my joy through the ages,
to sing of His love for me!
How marvelous! How wonderful!
and my song shall ever be!
How marvelous. How wonderful!
is my Savior's love for me.
- Charles Gabriel
Public Domain
Friday, February 22, 2008
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Misplaced hope?
I sometimes think that life would be easier 'if only...' -
I had more money,
I lived in Colorado,
I could be 30 again, or
the food I like wasn't fattening. (The last one is just for laughs!)
We look for hope in so many places, don't we? For the Believer, there is only one true Hope: the Lord Himself. In the story of Exodus, Moses is sent by God to Egypt. He is charged with leading the Israelites out of slavery and to the Promised Land. In chapter 5, we learn that his first encounter with Pharaoh is a disaster! Not only does the king mock him and the Lord, he doubles the work load of the Israelite slaves, who turn on Moses in anger.
So, what does he do?
Go out and party heartily?
Find a new job?
Move to a new city and take a new identity?
Sorry, none of the above.
The Bible says, "Moses returned to the LORD." (Exodus 5:22, NIV)
Admittedly, the prayer he prayed was a nothing more than complaint, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me?" (Exodus 5:22, NIV) But, God listened and answered. It is the Lord's answer that I want you to focus on with me, Believer. It is a wonderful three part reply, in which God calls us to renewed hope in Himself.
First, God says, "Trust in my Providence!" "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country." (Exodus 6:1, NIV) If Moses and Aaron had met success on their first visit to the king, they would most likely have congratulated themselves! The Israelites would have tried to turn them into gods. God wanted the Israelites and the Egyptians to know, beyond question, Who was the mover and shaker in this great deliverance. The difficulties were a means of creating utter dependence on Him.
Second, God says, "Know me Personally!" "I am the LORD (Yahweh). I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty (El Shaddai), but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them." (Exodus 6:2-3, NIV) God told Moses that the trials would lead him to a deeper intimacy with Himself. Moses was given the Name of God, the holy Name that was so revered by the Hebrews they would not speak it. So in the Scripture text, we read the word they substituted - Lord. Where you see that in all capital letters, that is a clue that the personal Name of God, Yahweh (some say, Jehovah) appears. His Name means, "the I Am," "the Self-Existent One," or "the One who is Present."
Third, God says, "Renew your hope in my Promises!" "Say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.’" (Exodus 6:6-8, NIV) Seven "I wills" are God's declaration. And the promises are bracketed by the statement, "I am the LORD." He secures the promise with the honor of His Name!
Believer, He is our Hope! Money might temporarily make life simpler, but you can't buy peace with God, nor exempt yourself from life's trials with wealth. Pleasure may divert your attention away from suffering, in your own life or in the world around you, but when the music stops playing and the dance is over, reality returns. God does not fail. Return to Him. Renew your worship, deepen your devotion, lay aside your complaints.
Trust His Providence!
Know Him Personally!
Rehearse His Promises!
_________________________
My faith has found a resting place,
not in device, nor creed.
I trust the Ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea.
It is enough that Jesus died,
and that He died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
this ends my fear and doubt.
A sinful soul, I come to Him,
He'll never cast me out.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea.
It is enough that Jesus died,
and that He died for me.
- Eliza HewittPublic Domain
I had more money,
I lived in Colorado,
I could be 30 again, or
the food I like wasn't fattening. (The last one is just for laughs!)
We look for hope in so many places, don't we? For the Believer, there is only one true Hope: the Lord Himself. In the story of Exodus, Moses is sent by God to Egypt. He is charged with leading the Israelites out of slavery and to the Promised Land. In chapter 5, we learn that his first encounter with Pharaoh is a disaster! Not only does the king mock him and the Lord, he doubles the work load of the Israelite slaves, who turn on Moses in anger.
So, what does he do?
Go out and party heartily?
Find a new job?
Move to a new city and take a new identity?
Sorry, none of the above.
The Bible says, "Moses returned to the LORD." (Exodus 5:22, NIV)
Admittedly, the prayer he prayed was a nothing more than complaint, "O Lord, why have you brought trouble upon this people? Is this why you sent me?" (Exodus 5:22, NIV) But, God listened and answered. It is the Lord's answer that I want you to focus on with me, Believer. It is a wonderful three part reply, in which God calls us to renewed hope in Himself.
First, God says, "Trust in my Providence!" "Now you will see what I will do to Pharaoh: Because of my mighty hand he will let them go; because of my mighty hand he will drive them out of his country." (Exodus 6:1, NIV) If Moses and Aaron had met success on their first visit to the king, they would most likely have congratulated themselves! The Israelites would have tried to turn them into gods. God wanted the Israelites and the Egyptians to know, beyond question, Who was the mover and shaker in this great deliverance. The difficulties were a means of creating utter dependence on Him.
Second, God says, "Know me Personally!" "I am the LORD (Yahweh). I appeared to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob as God Almighty (El Shaddai), but by my name the LORD I did not make myself known to them." (Exodus 6:2-3, NIV) God told Moses that the trials would lead him to a deeper intimacy with Himself. Moses was given the Name of God, the holy Name that was so revered by the Hebrews they would not speak it. So in the Scripture text, we read the word they substituted - Lord. Where you see that in all capital letters, that is a clue that the personal Name of God, Yahweh (some say, Jehovah) appears. His Name means, "the I Am," "the Self-Existent One," or "the One who is Present."
Third, God says, "Renew your hope in my Promises!" "Say to the Israelites: ‘I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. I will free you from being slaves to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with mighty acts of judgment. I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God. Then you will know that I am the LORD your God, who brought you out from under the yoke of the Egyptians. And I will bring you to the land I swore with uplifted hand to give to Abraham, to Isaac and to Jacob. I will give it to you as a possession. I am the LORD.’" (Exodus 6:6-8, NIV) Seven "I wills" are God's declaration. And the promises are bracketed by the statement, "I am the LORD." He secures the promise with the honor of His Name!
Believer, He is our Hope! Money might temporarily make life simpler, but you can't buy peace with God, nor exempt yourself from life's trials with wealth. Pleasure may divert your attention away from suffering, in your own life or in the world around you, but when the music stops playing and the dance is over, reality returns. God does not fail. Return to Him. Renew your worship, deepen your devotion, lay aside your complaints.
Trust His Providence!
Know Him Personally!
Rehearse His Promises!
_________________________
My faith has found a resting place,
not in device, nor creed.
I trust the Ever-living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea.
It is enough that Jesus died,
and that He died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
this ends my fear and doubt.
A sinful soul, I come to Him,
He'll never cast me out.
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea.
It is enough that Jesus died,
and that He died for me.
- Eliza HewittPublic Domain
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Passed By on the Other Side
The woman on the phone was crying softly. Sally (not her real name) said she had not eaten in two days and that she had fallen and broken her arm the night before. Her list of woes was long, as it has been in the past when she called. With shame, I admit that I didn’t want to get involved in her troubles. But, the love of Jesus compels me, so I asked Pat, who coordinates the church’s food pantry ministry, to prepare a bag of groceries that I could take to Sally.
When I got to her room; yes, she lives in a single room, my heart was broken by the poverty, loneliness, desperation in that place. A hug, a prayer, and a bag of groceries didn’t begin to meet her need! I left heavy-hearted, wondering what the Body of Christ could or should do for Sally. Without help, she will never be able to climb out of the pit into which she has fallen. Most likely she has made poor decisions along the way that have only made her situation worse. But, can we, should we, just leave her beside the road, beaten up by the Devil and dying, spiritually and physically?
Sally and those who live ‘on the edge’ like her, are often invisible to the rest of us. We choose not to see them, for when we do, we realize that we have a responsibility to care for them. By care, I do not mean, just feed them, either. We must offer love – costly, sacrificial love.
Why? Because that what Jesus teaches us. Take a look.
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37, NIV)
Believer, the salvation God has given to us is not just for Heaven. We are to be about the business of building the Kingdom, here and now. That means we include the Sally’s of this world. But, we cannot help them if we do not ‘see’ them. The solutions are not simple, easy, or cheap. Success is not guaranteed. But, Jesus sends us to love the least and the lost just as He loved us. Doing so will disturb our middle class serenity, drag us out of our comfort zone, and mess up our lives. And, it will also make us just like Him!
____________
On that day when we will pay for
All the deeds we have done.
Good and bad, they'll all be had
To see by everyone.
And when you're called to stand,
And tell just what you saw in me,
More than anything I know
I want your words to be,
She's got her Father's eyes,
Her Father's eyes,
Eyes that find the good in things
When good is not around.
Eyes that find the source of help
When help just can't be found.
Eyes full of compassion,
Seeing ev'ry pain.
Knowin' what you're goin' through
And feelin' it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes.
Father’s Eyes
Chapman, Gary © 1978 Paragon Music Corporation (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055
When I got to her room; yes, she lives in a single room, my heart was broken by the poverty, loneliness, desperation in that place. A hug, a prayer, and a bag of groceries didn’t begin to meet her need! I left heavy-hearted, wondering what the Body of Christ could or should do for Sally. Without help, she will never be able to climb out of the pit into which she has fallen. Most likely she has made poor decisions along the way that have only made her situation worse. But, can we, should we, just leave her beside the road, beaten up by the Devil and dying, spiritually and physically?
Sally and those who live ‘on the edge’ like her, are often invisible to the rest of us. We choose not to see them, for when we do, we realize that we have a responsibility to care for them. By care, I do not mean, just feed them, either. We must offer love – costly, sacrificial love.
Why? Because that what Jesus teaches us. Take a look.
“A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he fell into the hands of robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.
A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.
But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, took him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’
“Which of these three do you think was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?” The expert in the law replied, “The one who had mercy on him.”
Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.” (Luke 10:30-37, NIV)
Believer, the salvation God has given to us is not just for Heaven. We are to be about the business of building the Kingdom, here and now. That means we include the Sally’s of this world. But, we cannot help them if we do not ‘see’ them. The solutions are not simple, easy, or cheap. Success is not guaranteed. But, Jesus sends us to love the least and the lost just as He loved us. Doing so will disturb our middle class serenity, drag us out of our comfort zone, and mess up our lives. And, it will also make us just like Him!
____________
On that day when we will pay for
All the deeds we have done.
Good and bad, they'll all be had
To see by everyone.
And when you're called to stand,
And tell just what you saw in me,
More than anything I know
I want your words to be,
She's got her Father's eyes,
Her Father's eyes,
Eyes that find the good in things
When good is not around.
Eyes that find the source of help
When help just can't be found.
Eyes full of compassion,
Seeing ev'ry pain.
Knowin' what you're goin' through
And feelin' it the same.
Just like my Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes,
My Father's eyes.
Father’s Eyes
Chapman, Gary © 1978 Paragon Music Corporation (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Confusing MIght With Strength
Power is a major theme in our world, isn’t it?
Politicians build coalitions seeking to exercise greater power. Nations are armed to the point of bankruptcy. Punks on our streets have more guns than ever before. Lawsuits are common. Conflicts too often are settled by violence of one kind or another. Yes, I admit that when I feel threatened, there is always the temptation to evaluate my strengths, to determine if I have enough ‘might’ to flex my muscle and make the threat go away.
But, Believer, Jesus teaches us to respond differently! His words are not difficult to understand, but oh how hard they are to practice. Take a look. "Don’t hit back at all. If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift-wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. . . . Live generously. " (Matthew 5:39-42, The Message)
We object to His words as impractical, pointing out that they leave us defenseless. No, not defenseless, but unarmed! His words, if we accept them and live in them by faith, transfer our trust for defense to our Heavenly Father, who cares deeply for us. The Word promises justice. "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord." (Romans 12:17-19, NKJV)
The exercise of power always raises the level of conflict. A tragic story from the time of the kings illustrates this. King Solomon died and his son, Rehoboam, ascended to the throne of Israel. The people came to him and asked for relief from their high taxes and forced labor. His older counselors urged him to be a servant to the people knowing that they would respond with support for the king. But he rejected their wisdom and took the people’s request as a challenge to his authority. His response was one of might, not true strength! “If you think life under my father was hard, you haven’t seen the half of it. My father thrashed you with whips; I’ll beat you bloody with chains!” (1 Kings 12:14, The Message) His insecurity fueled a foolish arrogance which led to the division of the nation and he spent the rest of his reign in a simmering civil war!
Rehoboam’s story is repeated millions of times. Men, who are bigger and stronger, intimidate their families instead of providing loving leadership. Bosses drive those they supervise with threats instead of building teams with concern. Neighbors built fences and write laws to protect their rights, only increasing alienation.
Believer, we are secure in Christ. Paul points out the many ways that life and people conspire to harm us, and then he says, "… despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-42, NLT) In His embrace, we can lower our defenses, and trust in His care.
_______________________
O love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee.
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow,
May richer fuller be.
O light that foll'west all my way,
I yield my flick'ring torch to Thee.
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine's blaze it's day,
May brighter fairer be.
O joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee.
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
O cross that lifted up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee.
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red,
Life that shall endless be.
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Matheson, George / Peace, Albert Lister
© Public Domain
CCLI License No. 810055
Politicians build coalitions seeking to exercise greater power. Nations are armed to the point of bankruptcy. Punks on our streets have more guns than ever before. Lawsuits are common. Conflicts too often are settled by violence of one kind or another. Yes, I admit that when I feel threatened, there is always the temptation to evaluate my strengths, to determine if I have enough ‘might’ to flex my muscle and make the threat go away.
But, Believer, Jesus teaches us to respond differently! His words are not difficult to understand, but oh how hard they are to practice. Take a look. "Don’t hit back at all. If someone strikes you, stand there and take it. If someone drags you into court and sues for the shirt off your back, gift-wrap your best coat and make a present of it. And if someone takes unfair advantage of you, use the occasion to practice the servant life. . . . Live generously. " (Matthew 5:39-42, The Message)
We object to His words as impractical, pointing out that they leave us defenseless. No, not defenseless, but unarmed! His words, if we accept them and live in them by faith, transfer our trust for defense to our Heavenly Father, who cares deeply for us. The Word promises justice. "Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men. Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord." (Romans 12:17-19, NKJV)
The exercise of power always raises the level of conflict. A tragic story from the time of the kings illustrates this. King Solomon died and his son, Rehoboam, ascended to the throne of Israel. The people came to him and asked for relief from their high taxes and forced labor. His older counselors urged him to be a servant to the people knowing that they would respond with support for the king. But he rejected their wisdom and took the people’s request as a challenge to his authority. His response was one of might, not true strength! “If you think life under my father was hard, you haven’t seen the half of it. My father thrashed you with whips; I’ll beat you bloody with chains!” (1 Kings 12:14, The Message) His insecurity fueled a foolish arrogance which led to the division of the nation and he spent the rest of his reign in a simmering civil war!
Rehoboam’s story is repeated millions of times. Men, who are bigger and stronger, intimidate their families instead of providing loving leadership. Bosses drive those they supervise with threats instead of building teams with concern. Neighbors built fences and write laws to protect their rights, only increasing alienation.
Believer, we are secure in Christ. Paul points out the many ways that life and people conspire to harm us, and then he says, "… despite all these things, overwhelming victory is ours through Christ, who loved us. And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:37-42, NLT) In His embrace, we can lower our defenses, and trust in His care.
_______________________
O love that will not let me go,
I rest my weary soul in Thee.
I give Thee back the life I owe,
That in Thine ocean depths its flow,
May richer fuller be.
O light that foll'west all my way,
I yield my flick'ring torch to Thee.
My heart restores its borrowed ray,
That in Thy sunshine's blaze it's day,
May brighter fairer be.
O joy that seekest me through pain,
I cannot close my heart to Thee.
I trace the rainbow through the rain,
And feel the promise is not vain,
That morn shall tearless be.
O cross that lifted up my head,
I dare not ask to fly from Thee.
I lay in dust life's glory dead,
And from the ground there blossoms red,
Life that shall endless be.
O Love That Will Not Let Me Go
Matheson, George / Peace, Albert Lister
© Public Domain
CCLI License No. 810055
Monday, February 18, 2008
Critics - a blessing or a curse?
Film critics regularly tell us if a movie is worth our $8. Is a film a 'must see' or a 'don't waste your money' snooze? Are there flaws in storylines, poor editing, and bad writing? One thing about movie critics that makes me smile is how seldom they see a good film! Perhaps pointing out the flaws, real and imagined, creates a kind of "movie critic" job security. Dr. Larry Crabb, renowned Christian author, said that reading the reviews of his books makes him shake as he finds it difficult to see his work analyzed and sometimes criticized. Imagine putting your heart on paper and submitting it to the world and then to have people who don't even know you tear your work (and your heart) to pieces!
Have you been criticized lately?
As a church leader I have had to come to grips with the fact that in every congregation there are always a few critics who enjoy that delicacy called 'roast preacher' for Sunday dinner. I was once naive enough to think that if I were "good enough" or "smart enough," everybody would like everything I said and did. It took about 15 years of ministry to learn that trying to please the crowd (even the church crowd) was a sure way to become ineffective in pleasing God! Both applause and criticism are short-lived.
Don't believe me? Look no further than our Presidential election process. While sorting through a pile of old US News magazines last week, I stopped to read a couple of articles about the 'inevitability' of Hillary Clinton's nomination. Today's paper questioned her judgment and lauded Barack Obama! In the same old magazine, one editor spoke in glowing terms of Fred Thompson, whose charisma and popular appeal were 'sure' to carry him to the nomination. Fred who? Once he entered the race, the criticism of his style was unending.
Here are ten ways to avoid criticism...
1. Do nothing.
2. Do nothing.
3. Do nothing....
Getting the point? The only way you will never be criticized is if you choose to say nothing, do nothing, and keep out of sight. Even then, someone will probably blame you for something that you were marginally connected to! If we state an opinion, do ministry, take a stand, create a work of art, do our job -- we must expect criticism. Noble Believers, we must learn to say, without arrogance, "I believe this is what God wills for me" and then to go forward in pursuit of His great purpose. In the book of the Acts, we read about that time, early in the church's history, when Peter and John were hauled into the court of religious leaders and "told never again to speak or teach aboutJesus." Do you think that was intimidating? Of course it was! But here's what those brave men said in reply. "Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20 NLT
A word of caution is necessary!
Pride will cause some people to twist these thoughts into an excuse to be insensitive and/or overbearing. Others will take these words and make them a reason to discard advice from those older and wiser than themselves. Please do not do that. We live in community and God uses our brothers and sisters to help shape us, to keep us from falling off the deep end of extremism. Criticism that is offered in love is of tremendous value and that must be kept in the front of our minds at all times. "If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise." (Proverbs 15:31, NLT) Living defensively and rejecting all counsel is a fool's walk that leads to ruin.
However, (isn't life full of 'however's?) moments come when we set our course because we KNOW what God has said to us by His Word and His Spirit and we do it -- despite the critical voices that assureus of impending failure or foolishness for we know that obedience to God is the highest calling of our heart. Here's a word from the Word to take with you today. Meditate on this eternal wisdom and then -- go confound your critics as you humbly, quietly, and consistently obey the one Master.
"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, NLT)
__________________
Have you been criticized lately?
As a church leader I have had to come to grips with the fact that in every congregation there are always a few critics who enjoy that delicacy called 'roast preacher' for Sunday dinner. I was once naive enough to think that if I were "good enough" or "smart enough," everybody would like everything I said and did. It took about 15 years of ministry to learn that trying to please the crowd (even the church crowd) was a sure way to become ineffective in pleasing God! Both applause and criticism are short-lived.
Don't believe me? Look no further than our Presidential election process. While sorting through a pile of old US News magazines last week, I stopped to read a couple of articles about the 'inevitability' of Hillary Clinton's nomination. Today's paper questioned her judgment and lauded Barack Obama! In the same old magazine, one editor spoke in glowing terms of Fred Thompson, whose charisma and popular appeal were 'sure' to carry him to the nomination. Fred who? Once he entered the race, the criticism of his style was unending.
Here are ten ways to avoid criticism...
1. Do nothing.
2. Do nothing.
3. Do nothing....
Getting the point? The only way you will never be criticized is if you choose to say nothing, do nothing, and keep out of sight. Even then, someone will probably blame you for something that you were marginally connected to! If we state an opinion, do ministry, take a stand, create a work of art, do our job -- we must expect criticism. Noble Believers, we must learn to say, without arrogance, "I believe this is what God wills for me" and then to go forward in pursuit of His great purpose. In the book of the Acts, we read about that time, early in the church's history, when Peter and John were hauled into the court of religious leaders and "told never again to speak or teach aboutJesus." Do you think that was intimidating? Of course it was! But here's what those brave men said in reply. "Do you think God wants us to obey you rather than him? We cannot stop telling about the wonderful things we have seen and heard." Acts 4:18-20 NLT
A word of caution is necessary!
Pride will cause some people to twist these thoughts into an excuse to be insensitive and/or overbearing. Others will take these words and make them a reason to discard advice from those older and wiser than themselves. Please do not do that. We live in community and God uses our brothers and sisters to help shape us, to keep us from falling off the deep end of extremism. Criticism that is offered in love is of tremendous value and that must be kept in the front of our minds at all times. "If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise." (Proverbs 15:31, NLT) Living defensively and rejecting all counsel is a fool's walk that leads to ruin.
However, (isn't life full of 'however's?) moments come when we set our course because we KNOW what God has said to us by His Word and His Spirit and we do it -- despite the critical voices that assureus of impending failure or foolishness for we know that obedience to God is the highest calling of our heart. Here's a word from the Word to take with you today. Meditate on this eternal wisdom and then -- go confound your critics as you humbly, quietly, and consistently obey the one Master.
"Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ." (Colossians 3:23-24, NLT)
__________________
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)