"Born again" became part of America's lexicon in the 1970's. The 'Jesus People,' counter cultural groups who began to explore Christianity spirituality outside of the larger organized churches claimed to be 'born again.' Jimmy Carter, during his run for the Presidency in 1975, identified himself as a 'born again' Christian. Chuck Colson, who was President Nixon's right hand man, and who was convicted of perjury for his part in the Watergate scandal, wrote a best-seller in 1976 titled "Born Again" in which he told the story of his own conversion that happened in the aftermath of the collapse of his life. And, in a few years, most everybody knew about being 'born again' which was nothing new to those of us who had been part of evangelicalism. We had been talking about conversion, salvation, and rebirth for a long time before the media did.
The phrase was not invented in our era, however. John uses it in his Gospel! A religious leader who came to see Jesus in the night to avoid being seen, was challenged by the Lord with these words - "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God." (John 3:3, NKJV) Nicodemus found it a strange concept and told Jesus so. "How can an old man enter into his mother's womb and be born again?" he asked. Jesus responded to him with the explanation that just as we are born once naturally, we must be born again spiritually! The Bible summarizes the crisis this way. "You were dead because of your sins and because your sinful nature was not yet cut away. Then God made you alive with Christ, for he forgave all our sins." (Colossians 2:13, NLT)
By faith in Jesus Christ a person who is alienated from God, without hope of eternal life, and stuck in a rut of guilt and disobedience can be given a new heart, a new start; to use Jesus' words - "born again." The much mocked and maligned phrase is still one of great promise. The fact that God, the Holy Spirit, makes us newly alive has far reaching implications for how we live right here, right now. "Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!" (2 Corinthians 5:17, NLT) Note the tense. This is not just some legal transaction that gives us access to Heaven when we die. This is about coming into relationship with God in the now. When we are born again, hate is replaced by love. We learn to forgive. A new value system, based on eternity, emerges that causes us to invest our lives in something other than earthly treasure. We begin to enjoy a daily conversation with God and begin to understand that our purpose is to know and serve Him!
Mere religion cannot produce the same results as new birth! Christian churches are filled with good people who are trying hard to do good and noble things. But, because they have not been 'born again,' they are still ruled by Self and Sin. "Slaves" is the word the Bible uses. They cannot save themselves, because they are held captive by the Evil One. Scratch the surface and you find that that the veneer of morality conceals a heart of darkness. Some of you just winced! "Ouch, Jerry! That's harsh, that's judgmental!" Perhaps it is, friend, but it is also Biblical truth. Only those who are truly 'born again' are capable of being transformed by the ongoing work of the Spirit. They are 'becomers,' people who are not who they once were, and not yet fully all that they will be.
Let me urge you to meditate on this amazing passage. It is part of the "Top Ten list" of beloved passages of the Word for me. If you believe the One of whom Paul writes and receive, by faith, the promise of the Spirit, a whole new life becomes possible. Oh, may it true of you and me, for the glory of God.
" As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
Now get ready for the change point....
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." (Ephesians 2:1-10, NIV)
__________________
Amazing grace,
how sweet the sound,
that saved a wretch
like me!
I once was lost,
but now I'm found,
t'was blind, but now
I see!
John Newton
Public Domain
Friday, March 07, 2008
Thursday, March 06, 2008
Saved!
I love the Gospel of Christ for "it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes." (Romans 1:16) When W. believed and Christ entered his life, he gave up drinking, turned his heart toward his family, and began to live a new life. Eventually this man, who once was drunk every night, became a leader in our church. I was his pastor for many years and wrote about his spiritual journey in an article entitled, "From Detox to Deacon." For W. the Gospel wasn't just an idea! He got saved and everybody knew it. When my Grandfather accepted Christ, he became a new man. He sat on the third row of his little church in Iowa, singing the songs that declared his love for Jesus faithfully for decades. But he had more than Sunday religion. He gave to missions, prayed for his family, and sowed seeds of faith that continue to yield a harvest of righteousness to this day. For Grandpa Scott, the Gospel was not an accessory in life; it was life!
There is a troubling trend today (it's always been around, I suppose) to take the edges off of the Gospel and make the truth of Christ less confrontational. I don't hear many of us saying that somebody got 'saved.' Instead we say they became a follower of Jesus, or they came to faith. There's nothing wrong with those phrases, but they don't have the punch of getting 'saved.' The wimpy Gospel, that is preached in many places today, allows people to make a decision to add Jesus to their shelf of gods! The Gospel is reduced to a pardon for sin, without the accompanying earthquake of transformation that the Bible promises to those who 'get saved!' I know why we do it. We're trying to avoid implying that somebody needs to do something good to earn God's favor. No one can save himself by any amount of determination to be good. We don't want to return to the days when being a Christian involved signing on to a whole list of rules about not drinking, not smoking, not cussing, and not going to the movies! Too often that rule-keeping let the real issues of ego and surrender to Christ get papered over with a superficial adoption of a moral code. I make no appeal to return to that.
But my appeal is for a Gospel that produces genuine transformation! If a person has come to faith in Christ and is now alive in Him, it ought to show in the way he lives. The Bible says that there must be a distinct difference between those who belong to Christ Jesus and those who don't! Take a look. "Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. . . . Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. . . . So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:3-20, NLT)
Dear Believer, if you're still in love with the things of the world, if you're still singing the same songs, doing the same things you always did, using the same filthy language; and going to church on Sunday to get a little religious juice and to make sure you're cool with God; you need to get 'saved!' I'm not judging you; the Word is. The genuine Gospel of Christ not only changes our external behavior; it transforms us from the inside out. He enters our lives as Lord and God, not as Buddy to make us feel good while we keep doing wrong things. He sets our hope on Heaven, not on getting rich or famous. He secures us in love so that we become tender-hearted, gentle, forgiving, and deeply compassionate individuals.
Let this word from the Word fill your mind today. Hear the call to receive the Gospel, which is God's power to truly transform sinners into saints. "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good." (Titus 3:3-8, NIV)
Wow! and Amen!
There is a troubling trend today (it's always been around, I suppose) to take the edges off of the Gospel and make the truth of Christ less confrontational. I don't hear many of us saying that somebody got 'saved.' Instead we say they became a follower of Jesus, or they came to faith. There's nothing wrong with those phrases, but they don't have the punch of getting 'saved.' The wimpy Gospel, that is preached in many places today, allows people to make a decision to add Jesus to their shelf of gods! The Gospel is reduced to a pardon for sin, without the accompanying earthquake of transformation that the Bible promises to those who 'get saved!' I know why we do it. We're trying to avoid implying that somebody needs to do something good to earn God's favor. No one can save himself by any amount of determination to be good. We don't want to return to the days when being a Christian involved signing on to a whole list of rules about not drinking, not smoking, not cussing, and not going to the movies! Too often that rule-keeping let the real issues of ego and surrender to Christ get papered over with a superficial adoption of a moral code. I make no appeal to return to that.
But my appeal is for a Gospel that produces genuine transformation! If a person has come to faith in Christ and is now alive in Him, it ought to show in the way he lives. The Bible says that there must be a distinct difference between those who belong to Christ Jesus and those who don't! Take a look. "Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. . . . Don’t be fooled by those who try to excuse these sins, for the anger of God will fall on all who disobey him. Don’t participate in the things these people do. For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true. Carefully determine what pleases the Lord. . . . So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ." (Ephesians 5:3-20, NLT)
Dear Believer, if you're still in love with the things of the world, if you're still singing the same songs, doing the same things you always did, using the same filthy language; and going to church on Sunday to get a little religious juice and to make sure you're cool with God; you need to get 'saved!' I'm not judging you; the Word is. The genuine Gospel of Christ not only changes our external behavior; it transforms us from the inside out. He enters our lives as Lord and God, not as Buddy to make us feel good while we keep doing wrong things. He sets our hope on Heaven, not on getting rich or famous. He secures us in love so that we become tender-hearted, gentle, forgiving, and deeply compassionate individuals.
Let this word from the Word fill your mind today. Hear the call to receive the Gospel, which is God's power to truly transform sinners into saints. "At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is good." (Titus 3:3-8, NIV)
Wow! and Amen!
Wednesday, March 05, 2008
Lost Art of Listening
Terry published photos of the Utah mountains on the web. Even though I was just viewing them on my little computer screen, the grandeur was breath-taking and a holy hush came over me. "What a Creator You are!" was all I could murmur. I have stood in the nave of St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York City where the weight of the imposing architecture can practically be felt. It is a building intentionally designed to provoke awe. And I have seen boisterous teenagers suddenly grow quiet there as they became aware that they are standing in 'holy' space. When a tiny baby is laid in my arms, my response is never to scream or yell with delight over new life. Instead a tender silence envelopes the child and me as I see yet another miracle of new creation.
Have you felt awe recently?
In our age of noise - both literal and in our souls - I fear that awe is growing extinct and, with its passing, we are losing the art of listening. We crank up the volume, increase the stimulation, go for bolder and brighter colors, buy ever bigger TV screens, shovel sound into our ears with omnipresent Ipods - and - lose the ability to hear the still, small voice of God. Or, because we are such activity freaks and noise junkies, on those moments when we do become aware of His Presence, instead of growing still before Him, we open our mouths to make noise! Incapable of wonder, we think, "somebody quick say something, sing something, do something!" Richard Foster, one of my favorite authors, a man whose understanding of Christianity has shaped my own in many ways, observes "Our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in "muchness" and "manyness," he will rest satisfied." - Celebration of Discipline
We need to 'hear' the admonition of God that came to a man who didn't know enough about awe to keep his mouth shut and his ears open! Here's the story. "After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don’t be afraid." (Matthew 17:1-7, NIV)
Dear Peter, how I love him! I would have done the same dumb thing, and I fear that I actually do! The ancient prophet declares, "God is in his holy Temple! Quiet everyone—a holy silence. Listen!" (Habakkuk 2:20, The Message) Just so we're clear, His holy temple is not St. Patrick's or any other church building. We, Believer, are His holy Temple. And when we sense the Spirit moving in us - be it in corporate worship, standing on a mountain, or in the company of a suffering saint - an appropriate response is to grow still; to allow awe to overwhelm us, even as something that feels like terror sweeps over us.
My prayer is this, dear friend.
"LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." (Habakkuk 3:2, NIV)
Today, make some space in all the 'noise' of your life to listen. Invite the Spirit to fill you up with holy awe. Like Elijah, you will find that in the quietness, the small voice of God whispers a great big message of assurance to your soul.
__________________________________
I am Thine, O Lord,
I have heard Thy voice,
and it told Thy love to me.
But I long to rise
in the arms of faith,
and be closer drawn to Thee.
Oh the pure delight
of single hour that before
Thy Throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer,
and with Thee, My God,
I commune as friend with Friend.
Draw me nearer,
nearer, Blessed Lord,
to the cross where Thou hast died,
Dear me nearer,
nearer, Blessed Lord,
to Thy precious bleeding side.
Fanny Crosby- Public Domain
Have you felt awe recently?
In our age of noise - both literal and in our souls - I fear that awe is growing extinct and, with its passing, we are losing the art of listening. We crank up the volume, increase the stimulation, go for bolder and brighter colors, buy ever bigger TV screens, shovel sound into our ears with omnipresent Ipods - and - lose the ability to hear the still, small voice of God. Or, because we are such activity freaks and noise junkies, on those moments when we do become aware of His Presence, instead of growing still before Him, we open our mouths to make noise! Incapable of wonder, we think, "somebody quick say something, sing something, do something!" Richard Foster, one of my favorite authors, a man whose understanding of Christianity has shaped my own in many ways, observes "Our Adversary majors in three things: noise, hurry and crowds. If he can keep us engaged in "muchness" and "manyness," he will rest satisfied." - Celebration of Discipline
We need to 'hear' the admonition of God that came to a man who didn't know enough about awe to keep his mouth shut and his ears open! Here's the story. "After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as the light. Just then there appeared before them Moses and Elijah, talking with Jesus.
Peter said to Jesus, "Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah." While he was still speaking, a bright cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said, "This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!" When the disciples heard this, they fell facedown to the ground, terrified. But Jesus came and touched them. "Get up," he said. "Don’t be afraid." (Matthew 17:1-7, NIV)
Dear Peter, how I love him! I would have done the same dumb thing, and I fear that I actually do! The ancient prophet declares, "God is in his holy Temple! Quiet everyone—a holy silence. Listen!" (Habakkuk 2:20, The Message) Just so we're clear, His holy temple is not St. Patrick's or any other church building. We, Believer, are His holy Temple. And when we sense the Spirit moving in us - be it in corporate worship, standing on a mountain, or in the company of a suffering saint - an appropriate response is to grow still; to allow awe to overwhelm us, even as something that feels like terror sweeps over us.
My prayer is this, dear friend.
"LORD, I have heard of your fame; I stand in awe of your deeds, O LORD. Renew them in our day, in our time make them known; in wrath remember mercy." (Habakkuk 3:2, NIV)
Today, make some space in all the 'noise' of your life to listen. Invite the Spirit to fill you up with holy awe. Like Elijah, you will find that in the quietness, the small voice of God whispers a great big message of assurance to your soul.
__________________________________
I am Thine, O Lord,
I have heard Thy voice,
and it told Thy love to me.
But I long to rise
in the arms of faith,
and be closer drawn to Thee.
Oh the pure delight
of single hour that before
Thy Throne I spend,
When I kneel in prayer,
and with Thee, My God,
I commune as friend with Friend.
Draw me nearer,
nearer, Blessed Lord,
to the cross where Thou hast died,
Dear me nearer,
nearer, Blessed Lord,
to Thy precious bleeding side.
Fanny Crosby- Public Domain
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
The Call
I refuse to waste my life watching the "Simpsons," playing video games, and entertaining myself to death. All around there are opportunities to make a difference in lives and I want to make the most of them. So, I stay informed, get involved, and work hard. And, truthfully, sometimes I get overwhelmed by it all. When I am tired, the Tempter whispers his seductions to me; dangling his bait in front of me. "You don't have to do this," he hisses. "Your efforts are like spit in the ocean, an exercise in futility. You're just going to wake up to the same world tomorrow, so why not just go with the flow, take life easy, read a good book, and indulge yourself?"
Here's why I can't do that. I am a man with a divine mission. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:19-21, NLT)
When I am feeling overwhelmed, I know that the answer is not to quit, but rather to re-evaluate how I am doing what God has called me to do. With the illumination of the Holy Spirit, I look for places in my life where I have put myself in God's place, where I am trying to effect change by my own strength alone. I ask the Lord to help me see where I am allowing the pressure of the work to squeeze His renewing Presence out of my life. And, this I know; there is a time for strategic retreat. It is critically important that I listen to the Spirit when He says, "Step back and let Me get your heart and mind in order." Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People) calls this, "sharpening the saw!" He reminds us that a man who takes a break to sharpen his saw will accomplish more!
Believer, there is so much to do for God. Ours is a world full of darkness and despair. People all around us are deceived by the lies of materialism and sensuality, thinking that the good life is found in a new restaurant, a better beer, or a younger woman. We have the Truth that will point them to a new and eternal Life. Suffering abounds; at our front door and all over the world. There are lonely people, sick people, sad people who are waiting to be loved and lifted up. We who know the love of Christ must share it. There people who are slaves to sin. We must show them that Christ Jesus offers them freedom.
Be challenged by this word of the Lord found in the book of Ezekiel. It speaks directly to our call, our high and holy calling. "Extortion is rife, robbery is epidemic, the poor and needy are abused, outsiders are kicked around at will, with no access to justice.’ "I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn’t have to destroy it. I couldn’t find anyone. Not one." (Ezekiel 22:29-30, The Message)
Believer, say with me, "Lord, here I am. Send me!"
_____________________________________
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Let my hands reach out to others
Touch through me.
There's a lonely soul somewhere
Needing just one friend to care.
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Love through me, Holy Spirit,
Love through me.
I will be my brother's keeper,
Love through me.
Hearts are bleeding deep inside,
Love can dry the weeping eyes,
Love through me, Holy Spirit,
Love through me.
Flow through me, Holy Spirit,
Flow through me.
Like a river in the desert,
Flow through me.
Springing fountain, healing stream,
Living water, pure and clean,
Flow through me, Holy Spirit,
Flow through me.
My hands will be Your hands
Reaching out to others.
My lips will not be slothful,
Lord, to speak.
I will be that good Samaritan
To someone else in need.
I will be Your house to dwell in
Live through me.
Touch Through Me
Dottie Rambo © 1981 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055
Here's why I can't do that. I am a man with a divine mission. "God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, "Come back to God!" For God made Christ, who never sinned, to be the offering for our sin, so that we could be made right with God through Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:19-21, NLT)
When I am feeling overwhelmed, I know that the answer is not to quit, but rather to re-evaluate how I am doing what God has called me to do. With the illumination of the Holy Spirit, I look for places in my life where I have put myself in God's place, where I am trying to effect change by my own strength alone. I ask the Lord to help me see where I am allowing the pressure of the work to squeeze His renewing Presence out of my life. And, this I know; there is a time for strategic retreat. It is critically important that I listen to the Spirit when He says, "Step back and let Me get your heart and mind in order." Covey (7 Habits of Highly Effective People) calls this, "sharpening the saw!" He reminds us that a man who takes a break to sharpen his saw will accomplish more!
Believer, there is so much to do for God. Ours is a world full of darkness and despair. People all around us are deceived by the lies of materialism and sensuality, thinking that the good life is found in a new restaurant, a better beer, or a younger woman. We have the Truth that will point them to a new and eternal Life. Suffering abounds; at our front door and all over the world. There are lonely people, sick people, sad people who are waiting to be loved and lifted up. We who know the love of Christ must share it. There people who are slaves to sin. We must show them that Christ Jesus offers them freedom.
Be challenged by this word of the Lord found in the book of Ezekiel. It speaks directly to our call, our high and holy calling. "Extortion is rife, robbery is epidemic, the poor and needy are abused, outsiders are kicked around at will, with no access to justice.’ "I looked for someone to stand up for me against all this, to repair the defenses of the city, to take a stand for me and stand in the gap to protect this land so I wouldn’t have to destroy it. I couldn’t find anyone. Not one." (Ezekiel 22:29-30, The Message)
Believer, say with me, "Lord, here I am. Send me!"
_____________________________________
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Let my hands reach out to others
Touch through me.
There's a lonely soul somewhere
Needing just one friend to care.
Touch through me, Holy Spirit,
Touch through me.
Love through me, Holy Spirit,
Love through me.
I will be my brother's keeper,
Love through me.
Hearts are bleeding deep inside,
Love can dry the weeping eyes,
Love through me, Holy Spirit,
Love through me.
Flow through me, Holy Spirit,
Flow through me.
Like a river in the desert,
Flow through me.
Springing fountain, healing stream,
Living water, pure and clean,
Flow through me, Holy Spirit,
Flow through me.
My hands will be Your hands
Reaching out to others.
My lips will not be slothful,
Lord, to speak.
I will be that good Samaritan
To someone else in need.
I will be Your house to dwell in
Live through me.
Touch Through Me
Dottie Rambo © 1981 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067)
CCLI License No. 810055
Monday, March 03, 2008
Diamonds in Tupperware
When my kids were little, they loved to 'help' me when I was working around the house. Every parent knows what I'm talking about. When they're too young to run the lawnmower, they want to. But when they are old enough, the desire evaporates like morning mist. The eagerness to 'help' Dad, meant they would be perfectly positioned in the way, 99% of the time. Helpful son would be standing right where I needed to place that heavy load in my arms. He would be holding up the end that needed to be put down. But, who could be angry with him? His desire for my approval and the eagerness to be 'with' Dad captivated my heart.
In much the same way, I know that I often get in God's way! Like an overly eager child who wants to 'help,' I find myself standing right where God wants to move, speaking when I should be listening, and doing when I should be learning. It's not a pride thing most of the time, anyway. I am not trying to take God's place; I just want to 'help' Him. As I was preparing my heart for the worship services yesterday I was growing increasingly anxious about the message that I had prepared. Early Sunday morning as I read through the text and my notes, I complained to no one in particular, "I can't take this to the pulpit. This isn't worth preaching!" Then, I felt the hand of God on me and heard His voice in my heart say, "Don't get in My way!" He was reminding me again that if I made Jerry's performance the focus of the sermon then people would respond only to me and His work would not be done in the most effective way. All He wanted me to do was my best, while letting Him lead. My desire needed to be that He was lifted up and that I would be eclipsed by His glory!
Believer, do you allow yourself to get in God's way?
Does the desire to perform cause you to lose sight of what God wants done?
How easily we are fooled into thinking we are much more important to God's work than we really are. When I start to feel like He couldn't get His work done without me, I remind myself of Balaam's donkey! Numbers tells us the story of a prophet who got his priorities mixed up. As he was on his way, God sent an angel to block the road. The man was so determined to do what he thought needed to be done, that he did not perceive God's messenger, but his donkey did. Here's how the Bible recounts what happened next. "God’s angel blocked the way yet again—a very narrow passage this time; there was no getting through on the right or left. Seeing the angel, Balaam’s donkey sat down under him. Balaam lost his temper; he beat the donkey with his stick. Then God gave speech to the donkey. She said to Balaam: "What have I ever done to you that you have beat me these three times?" (Numbers 22:26-28, The Message) A donkey saved a prophet's life and even spoke!
This doesn't mean that we are worthless, or that God doesn't need us, or that we can do His work carelessly. But, ministry of any kind (that's just service, by the way) is never about us. It's always about Him! We don't serve so we can feel useful, or so people admire our spirituality, or with the desire that our abilities will be applauded. If we do, we're just in the way. We serve so that God's glory shines through. Paul uses this homely metaphor to drive home that point. "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV) His allusion is to the ordinary household vessels of the day that were used for water, food, etc. In today's jargon, he might write it this way, "God's glory in us is like diamonds stored in Tupperware." It's not the container that is the treasure, it's what's inside!
By the way, when I got God out front and forgot about myself in the delivery of that sermon, there was amazing joy and deep fulfillment. And, God did exactly what needed to be done. Hallelujah!
________________
Stand still and see His glory.
Hallelujah! 'Tis wondrous,
His victories and triumphs.
Stand still, ye people,
Be silent and see His glory,
Hallelujah! His glory,
Hallelujah!
Stand still and see His glory.
Stand still and see His glory;
Watch as His mysteries unfold.
Bask in the sweetness
of pure Living Waters,
Refreshing, reviving the soul.
All hail His infinite wisdom!
None is so mighty as He.
Master, Creator of all things enduring,
None else is so precious to me.
Stand Still and See His Glories
Dottie Rambo© 1977 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) /
CCLI License No. 810055
In much the same way, I know that I often get in God's way! Like an overly eager child who wants to 'help,' I find myself standing right where God wants to move, speaking when I should be listening, and doing when I should be learning. It's not a pride thing most of the time, anyway. I am not trying to take God's place; I just want to 'help' Him. As I was preparing my heart for the worship services yesterday I was growing increasingly anxious about the message that I had prepared. Early Sunday morning as I read through the text and my notes, I complained to no one in particular, "I can't take this to the pulpit. This isn't worth preaching!" Then, I felt the hand of God on me and heard His voice in my heart say, "Don't get in My way!" He was reminding me again that if I made Jerry's performance the focus of the sermon then people would respond only to me and His work would not be done in the most effective way. All He wanted me to do was my best, while letting Him lead. My desire needed to be that He was lifted up and that I would be eclipsed by His glory!
Believer, do you allow yourself to get in God's way?
Does the desire to perform cause you to lose sight of what God wants done?
How easily we are fooled into thinking we are much more important to God's work than we really are. When I start to feel like He couldn't get His work done without me, I remind myself of Balaam's donkey! Numbers tells us the story of a prophet who got his priorities mixed up. As he was on his way, God sent an angel to block the road. The man was so determined to do what he thought needed to be done, that he did not perceive God's messenger, but his donkey did. Here's how the Bible recounts what happened next. "God’s angel blocked the way yet again—a very narrow passage this time; there was no getting through on the right or left. Seeing the angel, Balaam’s donkey sat down under him. Balaam lost his temper; he beat the donkey with his stick. Then God gave speech to the donkey. She said to Balaam: "What have I ever done to you that you have beat me these three times?" (Numbers 22:26-28, The Message) A donkey saved a prophet's life and even spoke!
This doesn't mean that we are worthless, or that God doesn't need us, or that we can do His work carelessly. But, ministry of any kind (that's just service, by the way) is never about us. It's always about Him! We don't serve so we can feel useful, or so people admire our spirituality, or with the desire that our abilities will be applauded. If we do, we're just in the way. We serve so that God's glory shines through. Paul uses this homely metaphor to drive home that point. "We have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us." (2 Corinthians 4:7, NIV) His allusion is to the ordinary household vessels of the day that were used for water, food, etc. In today's jargon, he might write it this way, "God's glory in us is like diamonds stored in Tupperware." It's not the container that is the treasure, it's what's inside!
By the way, when I got God out front and forgot about myself in the delivery of that sermon, there was amazing joy and deep fulfillment. And, God did exactly what needed to be done. Hallelujah!
________________
Stand still and see His glory.
Hallelujah! 'Tis wondrous,
His victories and triumphs.
Stand still, ye people,
Be silent and see His glory,
Hallelujah! His glory,
Hallelujah!
Stand still and see His glory.
Stand still and see His glory;
Watch as His mysteries unfold.
Bask in the sweetness
of pure Living Waters,
Refreshing, reviving the soul.
All hail His infinite wisdom!
None is so mighty as He.
Master, Creator of all things enduring,
None else is so precious to me.
Stand Still and See His Glories
Dottie Rambo© 1977 John T. Benson Publishing Company (Admin. by Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing, Inc., 741 Coolsprings Blvd., Franklin TN 37067) /
CCLI License No. 810055
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)