Remember that old Beatles song? It’s simple, universal, and resonates with us. Love hunger is universal. Though it is often confused with other things; in our current culture that is sex, we understand love when we experience it and we respond. Last week my one year old grand-daughter, Adelina, visited here. She knew that Grandpa loved her and when she woke up from her nap in my house, she was smiling and saying, “Papa.” Why? She wanted to be loved! When I visit the elderly who are confined to the nursing home and share genuine interest in who they are, they respond to love and anticipate that little crumb of human care. In pastoral counseling, I find that the first step to helping another find wholeness is simply offering them love. It’s absolutely amazing to see how men, women, teenagers, and little kids respond to the love of God.
Love says to another – “You matter. I see you, not just what you do, what you can contribute to my life, or how you perform. I care that you exist.” It’s really rather rare on this earth, isn’t it? We get pre-occupied with our work, caught up in making life work for ourselves, or absorbed by our own interests and forget to love. It’s not that we intentionally are hostile to others, but even benign neglect is unloving!
Jesus told us a love story we need to hear- over and over again. It’s recorded in Luke 15. A son went to his old Dad and asked for his inheritance early. What an idiot! The father handed it over and the young man headed to the bright lights. He lived it up with parties and prostitutes. When the money was gone, the ‘friends’ he had found disappeared. He found himself alone, afraid, and desperately hungry. He hatched a plan. "I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.” ’ “So he returned home to his father.” Part of his thinking was correct. He had deeply offended both God and Dad! He didn’t deserve a second chance. But what he had never really understood was the heart of his father. The story continues, “And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him." (Luke 15:18-20, NLT) Restoration, not probation! Forgiveness, not reparations!
Scandalous, isn’t it? Hard to understand and yet it tugs at us, doesn’t it? That’s because Jesus’ story is about you and me. When we took the gift of life and misused it, we broke God’s heart by chasing after things that could not make us whole or happy. Then, we were convinced that He was out to get us, that He needed to be bought with gifts or goodness. What He really wants is for us to ‘come home!’ Will our choices have consequences? Of course, but He’ll love us through it all.
John tells us that "This is how we know who the children of God are and who the children of the devil are: Anyone who does not do what is right is not a child of God; nor is anyone who does not love his brother. This is the message you heard from the beginning: We should love one another." (1 John 3:10-11, NIV)
"We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers. Anyone who does not love remains in death." (1 John 3:14, NIV)
"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1 John 3:16, NIV)
"Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love. We love each other because he loved us first." (1 John 4:18-19, NLT)
So, here are two questions:
Will you look up and accept the Love of God, not bargaining, nor buying, but receiving the gift?
Will you then become a lover of others, giving them the self-forgetting, forgiving gift that you have been given?
Here’s a word from the Word. Long before John Lennon thought it, God said it. “All you need is love.”
"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." (1 Corinthians 13:1, NLT) "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." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7, NLT)
"Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love—and the greatest of these is love." (1 Corinthians 13:13, NLT)
_________________
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
There's nothing you can do that can't be done.
Nothing you can sing that can't be sung.
Nothing you can say but you can learn how to play the game -
It's easy.
There's nothing you can make that can't be made.
No one you can save that can't be saved.
Nothing you can do but you can learn how to be you in time -
It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love, love.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
There's nothing you can know that isn't known.
Nothing you can see that isn't shown.
Nowhere you can be that isn't where you're meant to be -
It's easy.
All you need is love, all you need is love,
All you need is love, love, love is all you need.
Lennon/McCartney
Copyright 1967
Friday, February 04, 2011
Thursday, February 03, 2011
End Times Fever
The Arab nations are in turmoil. Demonstrations in the streets threaten the governments in several nations and have already overthrown the Tunisian government. The state of Israel, always a flashpoint in that region, likely faces even more hostility if Egypt’s Mubarak is driven from power, since he has been one of the ‘friendlier’ leaders in the Arab world. Is this cause for End Time Fever to rise? Apparently some Christian ministers think so. I am not jumping on that bandwagon! A thousand other political upheavals over the last 60 years have supposedly been ‘the beginning of the End’ - the signal for the start of the final drum roll that announces the Kingdom. Yet, here we are.
When we are too quick to sound the alarm we risk deepening apathy about the wonderful promise of our Lord’s return if our warnings and prophecies turn out to be half-informed fulminations of fevered dreamers, more sensational than thoughtful. The Lord Himself cautioned His followers about being seduced by those who point to various ‘signs of the end of the age.’ “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, ‘I am Christ, the Messiah.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming." (Matthew 24:4-8, The Message)
The Truth that keeps us faithfully engaged with the work of the Kingdom; serving the poor, defending the weak, praying and working against evil’s death grip on humanity, proclaiming the Gospel that transforms, and pointing people to the Way of Christ; is that our future is secure in the One who loves us. Jesus taught that if our hearts are in tune with the Spirit, if we are holy in our words and actions, we will be ready for the King’s arrival! We don’t need prophecy charts and doomsday clocks! He said, "Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:32-36, NLT) Instead of playing guessing games around the political events, as interesting as that might be, we should live with our hope firmly anchored to the Eternal Christ even as we are doing what He taught us to do right now, right where we are!
Spinning wild theories about Arab Caliphates, Anti-Christ, and angelic armies sells books and raises offerings from the gullible, but these things do next to nothing in the true work of the Lord. They may give us a little soul shiver, even a kind of thrill that we may be the generation that sees the coming of the King, but if we pay too much attention to it all, we risk becoming so distracted that we are no earthly good to the Lord. End Time Fever infections have turned good churches into irrelevant little bands of kooky people who spend too much time peering into things that will ONLY be clearly revealed in the Father’s good time.
Jesus Christ will come back to this Earth. This is promise of the prophets of the Old Testament and the hope that underlies the eschatology of the New Testament. We cannot dismiss this doctrine. It is the Blessed Hope of the Church. It assures us that evil will be defeated someday and that which Isaiah so grandly described. "In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all." (Isaiah 11:6, NLT) "Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord." (Isaiah 11:9, NLT) Until then, there’s a lot of work to do, so let’s be about it.
__________________
But until then
My heart will go on singing.
Until then
With joy I'll carry on.
Until the day
My eyes behold the city.
Until the day
God calls me home.
Until Then
Hamblen, Stuart
© 1958 Hamblen Music Company
CCLI License No. 810055
When we are too quick to sound the alarm we risk deepening apathy about the wonderful promise of our Lord’s return if our warnings and prophecies turn out to be half-informed fulminations of fevered dreamers, more sensational than thoughtful. The Lord Himself cautioned His followers about being seduced by those who point to various ‘signs of the end of the age.’ “Watch out for doomsday deceivers. Many leaders are going to show up with forged identities, claiming, ‘I am Christ, the Messiah.’ They will deceive a lot of people. When reports come in of wars and rumored wars, keep your head and don’t panic. This is routine history; this is no sign of the end. Nation will fight nation and ruler fight ruler, over and over. Famines and earthquakes will occur in various places. This is nothing compared to what is coming." (Matthew 24:4-8, The Message)
The Truth that keeps us faithfully engaged with the work of the Kingdom; serving the poor, defending the weak, praying and working against evil’s death grip on humanity, proclaiming the Gospel that transforms, and pointing people to the Way of Christ; is that our future is secure in the One who loves us. Jesus taught that if our hearts are in tune with the Spirit, if we are holy in our words and actions, we will be ready for the King’s arrival! We don’t need prophecy charts and doomsday clocks! He said, "Watch out! Don’t let your hearts be dulled by carousing and drunkenness, and by the worries of this life. Don’t let that day catch you unaware, like a trap. For that day will come upon everyone living on the earth. Keep alert at all times. And pray that you might be strong enough to escape these coming horrors and stand before the Son of Man." (Luke 21:32-36, NLT) Instead of playing guessing games around the political events, as interesting as that might be, we should live with our hope firmly anchored to the Eternal Christ even as we are doing what He taught us to do right now, right where we are!
Spinning wild theories about Arab Caliphates, Anti-Christ, and angelic armies sells books and raises offerings from the gullible, but these things do next to nothing in the true work of the Lord. They may give us a little soul shiver, even a kind of thrill that we may be the generation that sees the coming of the King, but if we pay too much attention to it all, we risk becoming so distracted that we are no earthly good to the Lord. End Time Fever infections have turned good churches into irrelevant little bands of kooky people who spend too much time peering into things that will ONLY be clearly revealed in the Father’s good time.
Jesus Christ will come back to this Earth. This is promise of the prophets of the Old Testament and the hope that underlies the eschatology of the New Testament. We cannot dismiss this doctrine. It is the Blessed Hope of the Church. It assures us that evil will be defeated someday and that which Isaiah so grandly described. "In that day the wolf and the lamb will live together; the leopard will lie down with the baby goat. The calf and the yearling will be safe with the lion, and a little child will lead them all." (Isaiah 11:6, NLT) "Nothing will hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, for as the waters fill the sea, so the earth will be filled with people who know the Lord." (Isaiah 11:9, NLT) Until then, there’s a lot of work to do, so let’s be about it.
__________________
But until then
My heart will go on singing.
Until then
With joy I'll carry on.
Until the day
My eyes behold the city.
Until the day
God calls me home.
Until Then
Hamblen, Stuart
© 1958 Hamblen Music Company
CCLI License No. 810055
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
Rugged faith
“Pastor, I just don’t feel Jesus in my heart. I don’t know if can go on believing.” Comments like that reveal a basic misunderstanding about the nature of faith. Somehow the idea that faith is a feeling, that Jesus creates ‘good vibes,’ has replaced the faith of Scripture which inspires greatness, holiness, and steady commitment. Truth - the bedrock of faith is not found in emotionalism, sentimentalism, or even inspiring stories from Guideposts! Rugged faith is founded on God’s revealed truth, the holy Word. It is strengthened by daily decisions that are made in alignment with that Truth.
Many years ago I responded to the Spirit, trusted Christ with my life both present and eternal. I do not mean to imply I have found perfection! (Ask my family.) However, the overall course of my adult life has been the pursuit of the will of the Lord. Sure, there are moments and days when I ignore Him or miss His purpose because of stubbornness. But, when I feel conviction, when the Word and Spirit make me know that there is a gap between my profession and my choices, I repent. Grace is extended and faith is strengthened. So, today I stand in this time of trial, with a heart that is pained by sorrow, yet secure. I can say "I know Whom I have believed and that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him." (2 Timothy 1.12)
Paul urged a young pastor named Timothy to let a rugged faith develop. "My son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:1, NKJV) "You … must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." (2 Timothy 2:3, NKJV) A disciple who does all he can do to avoid hard choices and steep pathways actually has an under-developed faith. Taking a pass on service that demands sacrifice, running away from conflict that requires forgiveness, never facing up to the hard facts about our real needs and/or flaws, makes faith superfluous.
The wide detours in life that keep us on smooth and wide paths where we can perpetually sing happy songs makes our spiritual muscle tone non-existent. I’m not suggesting we live like martyrs, looking for pain, asking for misery! But, we need to obey today and that obedience will certainly lead us through deep valleys as well as onto high mountains. The Holy Spirit will lead us to disciplined development of character. He will take us through seasons that cause us to hunger deeply for more of God. This means we will live outside of our comfort zone on regular basis.
This is what Jesus was talking about when He said “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NLT)
If that seems to involve rigor to you, you're right. It does! Why work so hard to own what we cannot see or hold in our hands? We do so in order that we can own a faith that is rugged, up to the task of sustaining us in ‘the valley of the shadow of death.’ Disciple, do not be seduced by the preachers who promises perpetual youth, unending happiness, and untroubled days. Such “Christianity” is nothing but an expressions of sentiment. It is characterized by 'Bible study' that is nothing more than a superficial search for the daily promise, or a short reading of 60 words from "God's Moment for the Busy 21st Century Saint!" It lets the “Christian” leave real service to the lost and needy as a job for 'somebody with more time.' Pleasure and games replace worship. 'Faith' becomes a feeling rather than a conviction.
Here’s a bold prayer from the Proverbs. "Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, "Who is the Lord?" (Proverbs 30:8-9, NLT) Reflection will prove the wisdom of that prayer, though most of pray for more rather than for enough! We do not want grace for the trials. We want exemptions from tough times and a magic carpet ride to heaven.
If your life is blessed today, praise God and begin to 'lay up treasure' in Heaven, by building a rugged faith that will stand when the world around you crumbles. The steady practice of spiritual disciplines produces a harvest of righteousness from which we can be sustained in the lean times.
Worship faithfully, not the ‘god’ of your imagination, but Awesome Lord of Glory found in Isaiah’s visions, at the Cross of Calvary, and in the dungeon with Paul.
Learn the Word and really eat the Truth, meditating on it, so it is driven down deep to the core of your soul.
Don't let religious jargon that sounds like the real thing replace the Truth that will keep you in times of trials.
Here’s a word from the Word. Note especially the outcome of a rugged faith. “It will bring you much praise and glory on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-9, NLT)
_____________________________
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in Him be found!
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
The Solid Rock
Mote, Edward / Bradbury, William B.
© Public Domain
Many years ago I responded to the Spirit, trusted Christ with my life both present and eternal. I do not mean to imply I have found perfection! (Ask my family.) However, the overall course of my adult life has been the pursuit of the will of the Lord. Sure, there are moments and days when I ignore Him or miss His purpose because of stubbornness. But, when I feel conviction, when the Word and Spirit make me know that there is a gap between my profession and my choices, I repent. Grace is extended and faith is strengthened. So, today I stand in this time of trial, with a heart that is pained by sorrow, yet secure. I can say "I know Whom I have believed and that He is able to guard that which I have entrusted to Him." (2 Timothy 1.12)
Paul urged a young pastor named Timothy to let a rugged faith develop. "My son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus." (2 Timothy 2:1, NKJV) "You … must endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ." (2 Timothy 2:3, NKJV) A disciple who does all he can do to avoid hard choices and steep pathways actually has an under-developed faith. Taking a pass on service that demands sacrifice, running away from conflict that requires forgiveness, never facing up to the hard facts about our real needs and/or flaws, makes faith superfluous.
The wide detours in life that keep us on smooth and wide paths where we can perpetually sing happy songs makes our spiritual muscle tone non-existent. I’m not suggesting we live like martyrs, looking for pain, asking for misery! But, we need to obey today and that obedience will certainly lead us through deep valleys as well as onto high mountains. The Holy Spirit will lead us to disciplined development of character. He will take us through seasons that cause us to hunger deeply for more of God. This means we will live outside of our comfort zone on regular basis.
This is what Jesus was talking about when He said “You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it." (Matthew 7:13-14, NLT)
If that seems to involve rigor to you, you're right. It does! Why work so hard to own what we cannot see or hold in our hands? We do so in order that we can own a faith that is rugged, up to the task of sustaining us in ‘the valley of the shadow of death.’ Disciple, do not be seduced by the preachers who promises perpetual youth, unending happiness, and untroubled days. Such “Christianity” is nothing but an expressions of sentiment. It is characterized by 'Bible study' that is nothing more than a superficial search for the daily promise, or a short reading of 60 words from "God's Moment for the Busy 21st Century Saint!" It lets the “Christian” leave real service to the lost and needy as a job for 'somebody with more time.' Pleasure and games replace worship. 'Faith' becomes a feeling rather than a conviction.
Here’s a bold prayer from the Proverbs. "Give me just enough to satisfy my needs. For if I grow rich, I may deny you and say, "Who is the Lord?" (Proverbs 30:8-9, NLT) Reflection will prove the wisdom of that prayer, though most of pray for more rather than for enough! We do not want grace for the trials. We want exemptions from tough times and a magic carpet ride to heaven.
If your life is blessed today, praise God and begin to 'lay up treasure' in Heaven, by building a rugged faith that will stand when the world around you crumbles. The steady practice of spiritual disciplines produces a harvest of righteousness from which we can be sustained in the lean times.
Worship faithfully, not the ‘god’ of your imagination, but Awesome Lord of Glory found in Isaiah’s visions, at the Cross of Calvary, and in the dungeon with Paul.
Learn the Word and really eat the Truth, meditating on it, so it is driven down deep to the core of your soul.
Don't let religious jargon that sounds like the real thing replace the Truth that will keep you in times of trials.
Here’s a word from the Word. Note especially the outcome of a rugged faith. “It will bring you much praise and glory on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is by his great mercy that we have been born again, because God raised Jesus Christ from the dead. Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance—an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.
And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see. So be truly glad. There is wonderful joy ahead, even though you have to endure many trials for a little while.
These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world. You love him even though you have never seen him. Though you do not see him now, you trust him; and you rejoice with a glorious, inexpressible joy. The reward for trusting him will be the salvation of your souls." (1 Peter 1:3-9, NLT)
_____________________________
My hope is built on nothing less
Than Jesus' blood and righteousness.
I dare not trust the sweetest frame,
But wholly lean on Jesus' name.
When darkness seems to hide His face,
I rest on His unchanging grace.
In every high and stormy gale,
My anchor holds within the veil.
When He shall come with trumpet sound,
O may I then in Him be found!
Dressed in His righteousness alone,
Faultless to stand before the throne!
On Christ the solid Rock I stand,
All other ground is sinking sand.
All other ground is sinking sand.
The Solid Rock
Mote, Edward / Bradbury, William B.
© Public Domain
Tuesday, February 01, 2011
Becoming an eternal glory
Once again I am on life watch, standing by to offer love and comfort to my mother. She is critically ill. Life has come to a standstill – a wait, a pause with purpose. Usually in my work a pastor my days are full of conversation, study, phone calls, and decisions. But, here at Mom’s place, I prepare meals, offer a drink, hold her hand, pray, and think- a lot - about God, life, choices, and mortality. Seeing the frailty of human flesh up close leaves no choice but to ponder life’s real questions. I would be a fool not to understand my own mortality and to ask: "Jerry, what are you spending your days to own? When you're the guy writing the last chapter, will you be looking for the rewind button, full of regrets or will you be at peace as you anticipate stepping from time into eternity?”
Most of accept, with few questions, that we should seek success, which is usually defined around stuff and status. We are programmed to get an education, choose a career, and start to work to create a stream of income. There is an unwritten but persuasive maxim driven home by a million advertisements: "If you get more stuff, you will enjoy a better and happier life." Sure, it's nice to have enough money to buy things we want, but there is a bargain with the Devil. As a result of our acquisitive ways, we have less time to enjoy the stuff we can afford and we must work harder to keep it all. It's a mirage, promising a satisfaction never found. We are certain that 'if we had more,' we would be able to create happiness. God’s wisdom says - "Life is not defined by what you have, even if you have a lot!" (Luke 12.18 The Message)
And, then there is this: even if we do a great job in getting it, keeping it, and piling it higher – someday we will leave it all behind. The government and our kids will divide the pile and what nobody wants will end up at the Salvation Army or on the curb!
What if we focused on an entirely different goal?
What if instead of getting things we worked with the Spirit to become somebody?
What if we determined that the measure of a good day was not the size of the deal we closed, the hours we put on the clock, or even the fun we had in some diversion; but rather determined by ways we helped another person feel the love of God, find real worth, and be encouraged? That will not happen unless we radically accept God's love for ourselves, becoming centered and satisfied in Him, made emotionally whole, forgiven of our sins, and freed from the tyranny of ego! That's the sense in which I mention -becoming somebody. And, we continue - becoming - as God leads us on.
How do we live a ‘becomer’? Becoming a real somebody requires surrender! John Ortberg (pastor and author) writes that "surrender is not passivity nor abdication. It is saying yes to God and life each day. It is accepting the gifts He has given to me - my body, my mind, my biorhythms, my energy. It is letting go of my envy or desire for what He has given to someone else. It is letting go of outcomes... Surrender is accepting reality ... the ultimate reality: I am a ceaseless being with an eternal destiny in God's great universe."
{When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back Into the Box, 2007, Zondervan} The deepest surrender, Ortberg says, grows out of the profound realization that I am not master of the game, Another is.
The depth of our surrender to Him directly effects the extent to which He is able to use us in His purpose of building the Kingdom of God - here and for eternity. Jesus says "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it." (Mark 8:34-35, NLT)
What would life look like if instead of working to impress others or building a network of power to defend our rights, we chose humble service without needing thanks or applause?
How would life look if instead of measuring success by our ability to make situations fit into our expectations we were content to place ourselves at God's disposal with no expectation other than to find the joy of obedience?
I hope this week is one that God uses to chisel another piece of the likeness of Jesus Christ into my life! Surrender, letting go of my will to find His purpose – this is my adventure of faith this week. I want, by the grace of God and the help of the Spirit, to live as a “becomer,” (not staying as I was yesterday, but pursuing Christ to become like Him today) for the glory of God.
Here’s a word from the Word. "For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil (old sinful and self-centered ways) removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NLT)
Most of accept, with few questions, that we should seek success, which is usually defined around stuff and status. We are programmed to get an education, choose a career, and start to work to create a stream of income. There is an unwritten but persuasive maxim driven home by a million advertisements: "If you get more stuff, you will enjoy a better and happier life." Sure, it's nice to have enough money to buy things we want, but there is a bargain with the Devil. As a result of our acquisitive ways, we have less time to enjoy the stuff we can afford and we must work harder to keep it all. It's a mirage, promising a satisfaction never found. We are certain that 'if we had more,' we would be able to create happiness. God’s wisdom says - "Life is not defined by what you have, even if you have a lot!" (Luke 12.18 The Message)
And, then there is this: even if we do a great job in getting it, keeping it, and piling it higher – someday we will leave it all behind. The government and our kids will divide the pile and what nobody wants will end up at the Salvation Army or on the curb!
What if we focused on an entirely different goal?
What if instead of getting things we worked with the Spirit to become somebody?
What if we determined that the measure of a good day was not the size of the deal we closed, the hours we put on the clock, or even the fun we had in some diversion; but rather determined by ways we helped another person feel the love of God, find real worth, and be encouraged? That will not happen unless we radically accept God's love for ourselves, becoming centered and satisfied in Him, made emotionally whole, forgiven of our sins, and freed from the tyranny of ego! That's the sense in which I mention -becoming somebody. And, we continue - becoming - as God leads us on.
How do we live a ‘becomer’? Becoming a real somebody requires surrender! John Ortberg (pastor and author) writes that "surrender is not passivity nor abdication. It is saying yes to God and life each day. It is accepting the gifts He has given to me - my body, my mind, my biorhythms, my energy. It is letting go of my envy or desire for what He has given to someone else. It is letting go of outcomes... Surrender is accepting reality ... the ultimate reality: I am a ceaseless being with an eternal destiny in God's great universe."
{When the Game Is Over, It All Goes Back Into the Box, 2007, Zondervan} The deepest surrender, Ortberg says, grows out of the profound realization that I am not master of the game, Another is.
The depth of our surrender to Him directly effects the extent to which He is able to use us in His purpose of building the Kingdom of God - here and for eternity. Jesus says "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it." (Mark 8:34-35, NLT)
What would life look like if instead of working to impress others or building a network of power to defend our rights, we chose humble service without needing thanks or applause?
How would life look if instead of measuring success by our ability to make situations fit into our expectations we were content to place ourselves at God's disposal with no expectation other than to find the joy of obedience?
I hope this week is one that God uses to chisel another piece of the likeness of Jesus Christ into my life! Surrender, letting go of my will to find His purpose – this is my adventure of faith this week. I want, by the grace of God and the help of the Spirit, to live as a “becomer,” (not staying as I was yesterday, but pursuing Christ to become like Him today) for the glory of God.
Here’s a word from the Word. "For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. So all of us who have had that veil (old sinful and self-centered ways) removed can see and reflect the glory of the Lord. And the Lord—who is the Spirit—makes us more and more like him as we are changed into his glorious image." (2 Corinthians 3:17-18, NLT)
Monday, January 31, 2011
Don’t go it alone
If know me, you know this – I love my family! We love and bicker when we’re together. We cheer and critique each other. Nobody can get under my skin more quickly, nobody can hurt me more deeply and nothing gives me more joy than my families! Yes, I have two families; those with whom I am connected by blood relations and those who are part of my spiritual family. This means I enjoy a double blessing.
Yesterday, after the pastoral prayer at church, I was emotionally wrecked. The sorrow of my Mom’s critical illness and a few other stresses left me ready to crumble. As I walked from the pulpit, big Nate opened his arms and pulled me into his chest as if I were a little boy. His daughter and daughter in law extended their arms, too, and I found myself in an embrace of loving concern. I’m not the really ‘touchy feely’ kind of person! But, I found that embrace a precious gift; a non-verbal expression that spoke love to me. Prior to the service, Garry and Phil joined me in my office to pray with me and for me, offering support. For the rest of the day, I was comforted by the knowledge that I had a family, a community, that cares.
The Scripture uses familial language to describe the Church. In Ephesians we read that God "predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—" (1:5, NIV) Before time began, He purposed and planned a new community and called us to be part of it. Jesus told us that our deep love for one another would be the distinguishing mark that would uniquely identify us as His people. John calls us ‘brothers and sisters’ repeatedly and says that our love for one another grows out of God’s love for us. What a powerful truth. I observe it in people all the time. Those who are loved and given secure relationships as children become trusting loving adults who are able to form attachments to others that are mutually enriching. Those who are raised in insecurity are wounded, suspicious, and quick to offense and defense!
I pray that our church, just one small part of His Church, will continue to develop as a real family. Yes, the process can be messy. Misunderstanding arise. Different expectations stress the ties that bind us together. Dysfunctional people pour their pain into the family and without great grace we can be split apart. Then, too, we must be aware of the Evil one is always working to divide, to turn secondary issues into major ones, to fan the flames of jealousy into a bonfire of destruction. But, the Father of love is greater. The Word calls us to enter actively into the family!
"What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are." (1 John 3:1, The Message)
"For this is the original message we heard: We should love each other. We must not be like Cain, who joined the Evil One and then killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because he was deep in the practice of evil, while the acts of his brother were righteous. So don’t be surprised, friends, when the world hates you. This has been going on a long time. The way we know we’ve been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Anyone who doesn’t love is as good as dead." (1 John 3:11-14, The Message)
Don’t go life alone. Cherish the community called – the church. Invest the time required to make it a real family. You’ll be blessed and a blessing.
Here’s the word from the Word, a prayer for His family.
"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21, NLT)
________________
The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the word.
From heav'n He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.
Elect from ev'ry nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses;
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With ev'ry grace endued.
The Church's One Foundation
Stone, Samuel J. / Wesley, Samuel S.
© Public Domain
Yesterday, after the pastoral prayer at church, I was emotionally wrecked. The sorrow of my Mom’s critical illness and a few other stresses left me ready to crumble. As I walked from the pulpit, big Nate opened his arms and pulled me into his chest as if I were a little boy. His daughter and daughter in law extended their arms, too, and I found myself in an embrace of loving concern. I’m not the really ‘touchy feely’ kind of person! But, I found that embrace a precious gift; a non-verbal expression that spoke love to me. Prior to the service, Garry and Phil joined me in my office to pray with me and for me, offering support. For the rest of the day, I was comforted by the knowledge that I had a family, a community, that cares.
The Scripture uses familial language to describe the Church. In Ephesians we read that God "predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will—" (1:5, NIV) Before time began, He purposed and planned a new community and called us to be part of it. Jesus told us that our deep love for one another would be the distinguishing mark that would uniquely identify us as His people. John calls us ‘brothers and sisters’ repeatedly and says that our love for one another grows out of God’s love for us. What a powerful truth. I observe it in people all the time. Those who are loved and given secure relationships as children become trusting loving adults who are able to form attachments to others that are mutually enriching. Those who are raised in insecurity are wounded, suspicious, and quick to offense and defense!
I pray that our church, just one small part of His Church, will continue to develop as a real family. Yes, the process can be messy. Misunderstanding arise. Different expectations stress the ties that bind us together. Dysfunctional people pour their pain into the family and without great grace we can be split apart. Then, too, we must be aware of the Evil one is always working to divide, to turn secondary issues into major ones, to fan the flames of jealousy into a bonfire of destruction. But, the Father of love is greater. The Word calls us to enter actively into the family!
"What marvelous love the Father has extended to us! Just look at it—we’re called children of God! That’s who we really are." (1 John 3:1, The Message)
"For this is the original message we heard: We should love each other. We must not be like Cain, who joined the Evil One and then killed his brother. And why did he kill him? Because he was deep in the practice of evil, while the acts of his brother were righteous. So don’t be surprised, friends, when the world hates you. This has been going on a long time. The way we know we’ve been transferred from death to life is that we love our brothers and sisters. Anyone who doesn’t love is as good as dead." (1 John 3:11-14, The Message)
Don’t go life alone. Cherish the community called – the church. Invest the time required to make it a real family. You’ll be blessed and a blessing.
Here’s the word from the Word, a prayer for His family.
"When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.
And may you have the power to understand, as all God’s people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.
Now all glory to God, who is able, through his mighty power at work within us, to accomplish infinitely more than we might ask or think.
Glory to him in the church and in Christ Jesus through all generations forever and ever! Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21, NLT)
________________
The Church's one foundation
Is Jesus Christ her Lord;
She is His new creation
By water and the word.
From heav'n He came and sought her
To be His holy bride;
With His own blood He bought her,
And for her life He died.
Elect from ev'ry nation,
Yet one o'er all the earth,
Her charter of salvation
One Lord, one faith, one birth;
One holy name she blesses;
Partakes one holy food,
And to one hope she presses,
With ev'ry grace endued.
The Church's One Foundation
Stone, Samuel J. / Wesley, Samuel S.
© Public Domain
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